WARRINGTON’S Muslim community are celebrating Eid al-Adha today with an outdoor prayer at Victoria Park.

This year is the first time prayer has taken place in an open space, replacing normal Eid prayer at the Warrington Islam Association Centre.

Eid al-Adha began on Tuesday, July 20 and ends on Saturday, July 24, and is the Festival of the Sacrifice, which is the latter of the two official Eid holidays celebrated within Islam.

Residents are being urged to celebrate Eid al-Adha safely to keep themselves and others safe as coronavirus cases remain high in Warrington.

Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Maureen Creaghan, said: “Eid al-Adha is such a significant religious holiday and I wish a Happy Eid to all those who will be celebrating this week in Warrington.

“Prayer in the park is a fantastic example of communities coming together despite the challenges the ongoing pandemic has brought to us all.

‘‘I hope you have a wonderful time with friends and family while trying to stay as safe as possible.”

Councillor for Great Sankey South and trustee of Warrington Islamic Association, Mo Hussain, and Councillor for Fairfield and Howley, Sagheer Zaman, thanked the council for acknowledging the importance of Eid and working with the Muslim community to enable the outdoor prayer to take place.

Cllr Hussain said: “We are very excited and thankful to the council for their continuous support in making history by organising the first ever open space for Eid in Warrington.

“Eid is a time for celebration, family and worship.

‘‘We would like everyone to enjoy the day and have tried to make things as safe as possible by organising the event outdoors.

‘‘We continue to advise those who may be ill or vulnerable to remain at home.”

“Our Mosque and the Muslim community in Warrington have done exceptionally well in adhering to the national guidance throughout the pandemic.

‘‘The number of deaths in Warrington and across the UK continues to be significantly lower than at the peak of the pandemic, which is testimony to everyone’s patience and consistent efforts.

“Allah (swt) says in the Quran: ‘Whoever saves the life of a person is as if he has saved the life of the whole of humankind’ (5:32).

“We would like to wish you all a blessed and joyous Eid. Eid Mubarak.”

Cllr Zaman said: “We would like to thank the council for helping to achieve this and make history for the Warrington Muslims.

‘‘We wish Warrington’s Muslim communities Eid al-Adha Mubarak by celebrating Eid safely and minimising close contact with others, as by doing so, you are protecting yourself and your loved ones.

‘‘Eid Mubarak!”