Thousands celebrate Eid in London's Trafalgar Square

'It's wonderful to see Muslims and non-Muslims coming together to celebrate this most important festival,' mayor says

London welcomed back the annual Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square after two years of the event being cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic. PA

Thousands of Londoners celebrated the occasion on Saturday and enjoyed the good weather. PA

People take pictures with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during the Eid in the Square festival in Trafalgar Square. PA

Girls from Grace and Poise, the world's first Muslim ballet school, perform during the festival. PA

People take selfies. PA

People celebrate during the festival. PA

There were various performances and activities to entertain visitors. PA

London welcomed back the annual Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square after two years of the event being cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic.

The festival of Eid marks the end of a month of fasting during Ramadan.

Thousands of Londoners celebrated the occasion in Trafalgar Square on Saturday and enjoyed the good weather.

They were entertained by live music from Arfoud Brothers and Sisters and the Baha Yetkin Sufi Ensemble.

There were also activities to entertain the children, including face painting and sword fights.

People during the Eid in the Square festival in Trafalgar Square. PA

Long queues gathered in front of the festival's many food stalls, with Naughty Boys' Indian street food proving a particularly big hit.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was a fan.

“I'm looking forward to eating Naughty Boys' keema shepherd's pie”, he said.

People celebrate during the Eid in the Square festival in Trafalgar Square. PA

The Labour mayor added that it was “fantastic” to be back at Eid in the Square after the two-year gap.

“It's fantastic, you can feel the vibe, feel the atmosphere,” he said.

“This is one of the most famous squares in the world. I'm a firm believer that our diversity is a strength not a weakness.

“We should celebrate our diversity. It's wonderful to see Muslims and non-Muslims coming together to celebrate this most important festival for the religion of Islam in this fantastic square in London.”

People celebrate during the Eid in the Square festival in Trafalgar Square. PA

Other festivalgoers were in high spirits too.

Akram, 25, from west London said: “It's very nice, it's nice to have a community vibe,” he said. “I'm going to walk around and see the stalls and performers.”

Mohammed, 24, from Romford, East London, said he was surprised at how many people had turned up.

“I didn't expect it to be so big,” he said. “I came a couple of years ago and it wasn't that busy. It's good to celebrate and have food with everyone.”

Men take part in morning prayers during Eid Al-Fitr celebrations at East London Mosque. Getty Images