BALLOONS, bungee jumping, food and circus skills drew hundreds of visitors to Oxford’s first Eid street party.

The ‘Eid Extravaganza’ in Manzil Way on Saturday followed on from Friday, July 17, when Muslims all over the world celebrated Eid al Fitr, the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Oxford Mail:

Organiser Shabnam Sabir

Event organiser Shabnam Sabir, 41, said: “Children were our inspiration for this event. They have birthday parties and Christmas parties in school and we wanted to give them something to look forward to after Eid.

“We have tried to encourage as much variety as we can, from toys to canvas arts to health advice. Everyone has made an effort to bring food and be involved.

“We promoted it as a massive party for everyone, an opportunity to see people we haven’t met before and bring in non-Muslims too.”

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About 70 stalls lined the street and car park of Oxford Central Mosque, selling jewellery, accessories and clothes.

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Dr Hojjat Ramzy, an imam

Adil Saeed, 35, of Headington clothes shop Huma’s Boutique, said: “It’s the first time I have been to an event like this. It’s a lovely idea.”

Crowds formed in the car park to sample some of the culinary delights on offer, from barbecued meat to samosas and sticky pastries.

Vendors came not just from Oxford, but Birmingham, Slough, Reading and farther afield.

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Mariam Dilber gives Maira Ahmed, three, a henna tattoo

Selling cakes and sweets as well as Sudanese and Somalian dishes was Mohammed Ismail, 27, from Banbury. He said: “This event is bringing the community together. Everyone has come out and engaged with the rest of the community. It’s a nice way to show what Muslim people are about, and very important for us.”

A bungee jump was rigged up outside the mosque and there was a play area at the Asian Cultural Centre.

Youngsters could get stuck into arts and crafts, have glittery henna tattoos or try out a police car’s sirens, courtesy of Thames Valley Police.

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Chicken on the barbecue

Maliha Ahmed, 37, from Standlake, looked on as three-year-old daughter Maira received an intricate henna tattoo. She said: “Eid was great. We had all our family together and had parties. This is the first time I’ve been to an event like this and it’s an awesome idea.”

Kariam Imessaoudene, 41, from Marston, invited his elderly neighbour Patricia Smith, 88, who said the event was “lovely”. Mr Imessaoudene said: “I have lived here for the past 15 years. It’s really international and doesn’t differentiate between different religions or colours. I have tried so many cities in the UK, but I always come back to Oxford.”

Oxford Mail:

Siblings Sufyahn, 11, Khadiya, seven, and Aayahn Naveed, eight, enjoy the bubbles

According to 2011 statistics provided by Oxford City Council, more than 10,000 of the city’s residents– or 6.8 per cent of the population– identify themselves as Muslims.

  • A scuffle between two visitors saw four police vehicles arrive at the event at about 4pm but no-one was injured and no arrests were made.