The Bradford Islamic Community Centre celebrated Eid al-Adha this week - the Feast of Sacrifice - marking both the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God, and the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
It is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, and a time for Muslims to come together, celebrate with prayer and a communal feast, and give to charity.
About 300 people attended the Eid al-Adha prayer service and feast on Wednesday, held this year at the Portuguese Cultural Centre in Bradford West Gwillimbury due to the growing attendance.
“We started from 30 people,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, “and now it’s growing more and more.”
Families came out dressed in their best – and they brought special food for the potluck meal. “Everything is homemade,” Ahmad said, inviting guests from the community to fill a plate.
“We are making Bradford our home. Let us eat and celebrate together,” he said.
Among the guests were BWG councillors Ron Orr and Gary Lamb.
“It’s all about community,” Orr told the gathering. “We’re happy to welcome you to this community.”
“The food is great, and so is the welcome,” said Lamb. “Eid Mubarak!”
At the front of the hall were donation boxes, which families could fill as part of their obligation to give generously to charities in support of the poor or to fundraise for the construction of a mosque in BWG.
The Bradford Islamic Community Centre is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 to support the Muslim community in BWG and provide a place for prayer and education. The centre is located at 136 Holland St. E., Unit 8. For more information, visit the website.