Hundreds of people made the journey to West Ham Park yesterday (Sunday 16 June) to celebrate the start of Eid al-Adha at a community event, organised by the Humanitarian and Saving Lives Trust and in partnership with the Corporation.
It marks the second large-scale Eid prayer held in West Ham Park, the largest green space in the London Borough of Newham, which is managed by the City Corporation as a registered charity.
The event featured a communal prayer led by Imam Mufti Shah Hamza Ahmed, set against the park’s lush greenery and serene surroundings.
Chair of the City Corporation’s West Ham Park Committee and Natural Environment Board, Caroline Haines, said:
“It was wonderful to welcome back our local Muslim community to celebrate this special and spiritual occasion.
“West Ham Park is a vibrant and beautiful space where people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds come together. It is a vital part of the community, offering diverse recreational opportunities, educational programs, and a serene environment for people to relax, enjoy, and spend time in nature.”
Md. Ashikur Rahman, Trustee of the Humanitarian and Saving Lives Trust, said:
“Once again, the peaceful ambiance of West Ham Park, with its lush greenery and calming atmosphere, truly enhanced the spiritual experience of our prayers.
“We feel blessed to gather in such a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature. The exceptional support from the West Ham Park team and the City Corporation has been greatly appreciated.”
West Ham Park is a Grade II listed site and attracts 2.2 million visitors each year – the equivalent of 35 times the capacity of London’s Olympic stadium.
It forms part of an 11,000 acre network of internationally important open spaces managed by the City Corporation across London and southeast England.
Many of these sites operate as charitable trusts and are run at little or no cost to the communities they serve and are protected under legislation. They include a wide variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves.
A recent report revealed that West Ham Park is worth £9.9 million every year in benefits to society and delivers a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.7, which means that every £1 spent on maintenance delivers £11.70 in public benefits.
ENDS
Notes to editors
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Image credit: Humanitarian and Saving Lives Trust
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