Sports Illustrated Warehouse hosts Eid prayer

The Sports Illustrated Warehouse at Villa Park played host to a community Eid Prayer that brought together 700 Aston residents to mark the festival of Eid al-Adha.

The event, which was held on 27 May, was organised by Aston Villa and the Aston Villa Foundation, in partnership with Councillor Mumtaz Hussain and the Witton Islamic Centre, whose collaboration ensured smooth delivery and the creation of a welcoming space where residents could observe the prayer and connect with one another on this blessed day.

Volunteers and staff were on hand from early in the morning to collect tickets, welcome the congregation with blessings of “Eid Mubarak”, and to guide worshipers around the new Sports Illustrated Warehouse space.

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a significant festival in the Islamic calendar, particularly at the end of Hajj, which is a pilgrimage Muslims are encouraged to make at least once in their life to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The gathering created a sense of unity and inclusion, reflecting the values of faith, togetherness, and mutual respect at the heart of Eid. The prayer also served as a reminder of the shared commitment within Aston to strengthen community bonds and promote cohesion between residents, the Aston Villa Foundation and Aston Villa Football Club.

A big thank you to all those who helped in organising this event and to all those who could attend, Eid Mubarak!