Eid celebrations at Consulate General of India, Birmingham

'The Spirit of Eid' was celebrated on Sunday, 25^th August 2019, at the Chancery premises to mark the occasion of Eid Ul-Adha. The event was celebrated with great enthusiasm by representatives of all faiths and comprised of speeches by invited dignitaries. A cultural component including reciting of the holy Quran by a 12 year old boy, presentation of Natiya Kalam and musical performances by well-known artists from Birmingham as well as from India, added to the variety of the programme.  

The event started with an address by the Consul General, welcoming the guests and explaining the siginificance of Eid. He also emphasised the fact that this is an occasion which needs to be celebrated not only by members of only one community but it is necessary for all communities to come together.  The programme continued with a short recitation of a few verses from the Holy Quran along with its English translation by a young 12 year school student which was followed next by singing of Natiya Kalam by a local muslim scholar. The speakers on the occasion included representatives of various faith organisations, who extolled the values of community cohesion.The event also saw scintillating performances of songs by local renowned singer, Mrs. Meena Kumari and melodious renderings of well-known Ghazals by Mr. Surender Khan, who was visiting UK from India.The programme concluded by honouring of the Consul General by a few Muslim organisations including the Dawoodi Bohra community and others, which was followed by a community lunch.

About 150 persons from different places within the Consular jurisdiction of the Post had gathered during the event, notwithstanding the fact that it was a bank-holiday long weekend. A copy of the programme agenda and a few photographs of the occasion are attached. Relevant information was also uploaded on the Post’s twitter handle immediately upon conclusion of the event.