Eid Festival at Old Trafford is set to be the UK’s biggest Great Get Together event

More than 13,000 people of all faiths and none from across Manchester are uniting together at Old Trafford this weekend to enjoy this year’s Manchester Eid Festival.

The Eid celebration event, which is now in its fourth year, is a family-friendly two-day event organised by the international humanitarian aid organisation Islamic Relief UK to bring together the people of Manchester in a celebration of the ending of the holy month of Ramadan.

This year’s event on 23 and 24 June, which is in the grounds beside the iconic Old Trafford stadium, home of Manchester United, is expected to attract more than 13,000 visitors over the two days.

The Manchester Eid Festival is also one of thousands of Great Get Together events taking place across the UK that is bringing together people from different political, religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to celebrate the life and legacy of the politician Jo Cox on the second anniversary of the murder of the 41-year-old Labour MP for the Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.

Ateeq Salik, Regional Community Fundraising Manager for the North at Islamic Relief UK, said:

“This city was devastated by the terror attack last year, but as a community, we showed that we will not allow hate to win. We want everyone to come together and enjoy a fun family day out, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or which football team they support! We hope that Muslims and non-Muslims alike will take this opportunity to get to know each other and have a great day out.”

“The Manchester Eid Festival looks set to be the largest Great Get Together event in England and we are looking forward to celebrating with thousands of people from across this great city and beyond.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“We welcome the Manchester Eid Festival and its vision of bringing people of all faiths together for a family-friendly gathering where everyone can celebrate, have fun and enjoy themselves. This Festival is a tremendous opportunity for the people of Manchester to meet up and demonstrate how, in Jo Cox’s words, as a nation ‘we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than the things that divide us’.”

Jo Cox’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, said:

“Jo loved a celebration and she would be thrilled that Manchester is once again coming together to show our country at its best as it did following last year’s horrendous terror attack at Manchester Arena.

“Whether in Manchester or London, after terror attacks or the gruesome fire at Grenfell Tower, in every case people came together with strength and compassion and showed they wouldn’t be beaten.

“I hope everyone involved with the Manchester Eid Fest will have a fantastic time and demonstrate yet again my sister’s belief that we have more in common than divides us.”

During the Eid Festival, Islamic Relief UK will be taking collections for Yemen to help families and communities as the conflict escalates.

ENDS

For more information, photos, interviews and filming possibilities, please contact:

• Louise Orton at [email protected] or call 020 7593 3202 or 07396 347 940
• Sultan Ahmed at [email protected] or call 020 7593 3217

Notes for Editors

• The Manchester Eid Festival is at Car Park W3, 2 John Gilbert Way, Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester M17 1EJ, and runs from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, 23 and 24 June.
• Entry costs £2 for adults and £1 for children.
• Ateeq Salik, the organiser of the event,is available for interview between 1-2 but can also be flexible with timings.
• The Eid Festival is a two-day event for all the family to enjoy, with a wide variety of delicious and mouth-watering cuisine at a large food court and a barbecue to tempt all palates, more than 30 funfair rides and attractions for children of all ages and those who are young at heart to enjoy, henna face painting and 40 stalls selling all sorts of arts and crafts. Throughout both days there will also be live performances from local musicians and entertainers, and discounted tours of Old Trafford football stadium.
• Eid al-Fitr is the important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
• Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity, working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender. In its 34-year history, Islamic Relief has helped more than 117m people across the world.
• The Yemen Emergency Appeal is on the Islamic Relief website at https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk.
• The Great Get Together was founded in 2017 by the family and friends of Jo Cox and is now a project of More in Common in partnership with the Jo Cox Foundation. More in Common is an initiative founded to build more united, inclusive and resilient societies in which all have a stronger sense of belonging and where support for vibrant civic and democratic institutions is strong and stable. https://www.greatgettogether.org.