Picture Special: Hundreds join fourth annual Eid Festival in Milton Keynes

The colourful multi cultural event, organised by the MK Events & Arts Society, attracted hundreds of visitors to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid.

They included Milton Keynes mayor Martin Petchey and MP Iain Stewart, who congratulated organiser Kashif Raza, for putting on an even ‘bigger and better event’ this year.

Entertainment, which was added this year, included fun and games for the whole family including bouncy castles, stalls, face painting, children’s activities and rides, with inflatable slides, interactive events and lots more.

Music was provided by classical Qasida, Hamd, Naat, Qawaali and modern Nasheed.

And food lovers enjoyed plenty of treats thanks to a range of multi-cultural cuisine on offer.

The MK Chinese Dance Fusion Group performed six dances with children invited to recite Nasheed and various rhymes.

The mayor spent some time chatting to stallholders and thanked them for contrbuting to the success of the event .

Mr Raza thanked visitors and exhibitors alike for supporting the festival which raised funds for the Muslim Aid charity.

He also thanked volunteers, police and security staff along with staff at Willen Lake , MK Council and Bucks Fire & Rescue service for their support.

Mr Raza said: “Thanks to everyone who joined us to make the festival a huge success. My thanks also to Mr Hafeez Rehman for joining the Events & Arts Society and helping to run the day’s stage programme.

“ Children were given the opportunity to recite Nasheed and various rhymes and received gifts for their performances.

“There was also numerous raffle prizes on offer with Mr Stewart, the Mayor Martin Petchey and our Muslim Aid fundraising officer doing the honours and handed prizes.”

Stalls represented at the festival included the Palestine Solidarity Committee, Keeping Kids Off the Street, Zainabiya Islamic Centre, Milton Keynes Diabetes UK and the Muslim Aid Charity.”