What Happened in Trafalgar Square This Eid Says a Lot About the UK

Just weeks before Eid on the Square, the Greater London Authority’s annual Eid celebration, thousands gathered outside Parliament under the banners of patriotism, national identity and "protecting Britain" as part of the so-called Unite the Kingdom rally. Yet beneath the rhetoric of unity lay something far more troubling: hostility towards Muslims and growing intolerance towards those perceived as different.

For many British Muslims, public expressions of faith have become increasingly difficult. Headlines, political rhetoric and incidents of anti-Muslim hatred too often challenge the sense of belonging that should come naturally.

Just a short walk from Trafalgar Square, where the Eid on the Square takes place each year, videos circulated online showing three women dressed in burqas ripping them off while members of the crowd shouted, "take it off." The women were not Muslim, but members of the far-right French anti-migrant group Collectif Nemesis and their intention was clear. 

Countering these messages of hatred in equally public forum is important; that is why events like Eid on the Square matter.

Held in the heart of London, against the backdrop of some of the nation's most recognisable landmarks, Eid on the Square offers something increasingly precious: a space where Muslims can celebrate their faith openly, confidently and joyfully, while inviting the wider public to share in that celebration. It is a reminder that diversity is not something to be feared, but something that enriches us all.

Where else could you find Korean fried chicken, Uzbek rice and Spanish churros, all halal and within the same vicinity, while the melodies of Fairuz, performed by the London Arab Orchestra, drift through the air? This is what community looks like in one of the world's largest metropolitan cities. The sight of thousands of people celebrating Eid openly is a powerful statement of belonging. It reflects the contribution Muslims make to British society and demonstrates how faith, culture and civic life can come together in a shared public space.

The event is not only for Muslims. People from all backgrounds are invited to take part, ask questions and experience cultures they may never otherwise encounter. In a time when social media algorithms can reinforce hatred and misunderstanding, face-to-face encounters remain one of the most powerful ways to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes.

Muslim Aid is committed to building a vision of the world we want to see - one rooted in dignity, compassion, and unity. Allah tells us that He

made [us] into peoples and tribes so that [we] may get to know one another 

(Qur’an 49:13). Eid on the Square, and other events like it, bring this teaching to life by uniting thousands of people from all walks of life. When we cultivate an environment of care and understanding, our communities become more resilient against a growing culture of intolerance. It also creates opportunities to share the rich diversity of Muslim cultures with those who may be unfamiliar with them, fostering greater understanding while serving as a powerful form of dawah.

For many of us from diaspora communities, events like Eid on the Square also create a sense of belonging, echoing the public celebrations they may have experienced in their homelands. For others who may otherwise have spent Eid alone, it offers a welcoming space to celebrate alongside the wider community and share in the joy of the occasion.

In Islam, Eid is one of the most important days of the year. Yet unlike other major religious celebrations, Muslims often mark it quietly, within homes, mosques and community centres. Eid on the Square changes that. It allows British Muslims to celebrate one of their most cherished occasions, affirming that their faith, traditions and contributions are integral to Britain's story.

Muslim Aid is proud and honoured to be part of such a vibrant event that celebrates multiculturalism at a time when dissent can too often dominate public discourse. It serves as a reminder that our differences are not barriers to overcome, but gifts to be shared and enjoyed. As thousands gathered to mark the day together, Eid in the Square demonstrated the power of community to unite people across cultures, backgrounds and faiths, reflecting the very best of what our city can be.

At a time when some seek to define British identity through exclusion, Eid in the Square offered a different vision: one in which people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds can gather with mutual respect, celebrate one another's traditions and strengthen the bonds that hold communities together. An attendee encapsulated the message behind Eid on the Square, explaining that community means “accepting each other’s differences and ultimately, community can feel like home; it doesn't matter where you are. If you have community, you can feel at home.” Their words reflected a powerful truth: that understanding is built through connection, and that acceptance remains one of the strongest antidotes to intolerance.

As we look ahead, we hope to see even more opportunities for communities to come together in celebration, understanding and mutual respect, building a society in which everyone feels welcomed and valued.

https://quran.com/49?startingVerse=13