As one of the major two days of the Islam religion, Eid al-adha was celebrated in London bringing communities together in the feelings of solidarity and togetherness. Many religious centres and mosques held prayer sessions and talks to enhance and remember the significance of Eid al-adha.
As the cosmopolitan specialty of London was very noticeable in the turnouts, many communities apart from Turkish speaking origins were represented at the prayer and talk sessions. The whole community gathered together to relish Eid and learn more on it.
The eid prayers also suggested that those who are in feud must reconcile, as Eids in Islam emphasises the importance of feuds especially in families should be soothed down during Eid times. Prayer sessions that held at Turkish Religious Foundation UK, Süleymaniye Mosque and Aziziye Mosque remarked and highlighted the importance of morals and bonded the communities with each other alongside with the emotions flowing.
The hutbes were both recited in English and Turkish followed by the traditional Eid prayers. Some religious centres had to repeat prayer sessions due to the overcrowded turnouts. Many believers preferred mosques that were closer to their workplaces. The traditional ‘greeting’ phase took place after the prayer sessions in which the believers greeted each other and exchanged good wishes.
FIRST THE PRAYER AND THEN BREAKFAST
Turkish bureaucrats Ambassador Abdurrahman Bilgiç and London Consul General Çınar Ergin did attend the Aziziye Mosque prayers followed by the breakfast session held by the mosque.