Rochdale Muslims to celebrate Eid

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Sep 2008

Rochdale's Muslim communities will celebrate Eid tomorrow (Wednesday 1 October) following an announcement by the Ruet-i-Hilal (Sighting of the Crescent) Committee of Rochdale earlier today.

The Eid ul-Fitr holiday marks the end of Ramadaan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The three-day festival is called 'The Smaller Eid'. 'The Greater Eid', Eid-Ul-Adha is celebrated in December.

The Ruet-i-Hilal Committee comprises of Imams (Priests) of mosques in Rochdale alongside Chairmen, Presidents and Secretaries of the Mosques Committees and facilitators.

The Committee decided that Eid will be held tomorrow, in agreement that the first new moon since Ramadaan began has appeared.

Co-facilitator of the Committee, Ghulam Rasul Shahzad, said: "I,on behalf of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, extend Eid ul Fitr Mubarak to all Muslims. May Allah grant His blessings, prosperity, happiness, peace and good health to them in all days to come."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Muslim Constituents a peaceful and Happy Eid. I know that people will be celebrating with family, friends and loved ones and I wish them all a wonderful festive season this Eid ul-Fitr.

"I am pleased to see that this year, our Eid Lights have been extended into our Town Centre. That is down to Councillor Mohammed Sharif, the Council's Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Councillor Angela Coric, the Vice Chairman of the Rochdale Township who are making this celebration more inclusive."

Councillor Mohammed Sharif said: "I am delighted that the community is coming together and celebrating this occasion just like we have celebrated other communities' occasions, such as St Georges' Day and St Patrick's day, throughout the year.

This year we have extended our decorations so that the whole of Rochdale can join in the special celebrations.

"I would like to say Eid Mubarak to all the muslim people in Rochdale. As muslims we should celebrate Eid as our religion teaches us and on the day of Eid we should be helpful towards our neighbours no matter what their race or religion."

Eid was first celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.

Not only do Muslims celebrate the end of fasting, they also thank Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the month of Ramadaan to help them practice self-control.