Blues star Mendy joins hundreds at Eid festival
SCHOOL WHILE PARK HOSTS HUGE GATHERING
CITY star Benjamin Mendy was spotted among hundreds of worshippers at a high school for Eid ul-Adha Islamic festival.
The French World Cup and Premier League winner was joined by best pal Diacko Fofana for prayers at The Kingsway School in Cheadle, Stockport.
More than 1,000 people are thought to have attended the Salah event, organised by Cheadle Mosque, yesterday morning. Mendy, 24, dressed in white, was snapped among the crowds with his head bowed and eyes closed.
His agent confirmed he attended with Diacko, and that the Blues defender was happy to be pictured.
Mendy, who set up two goals in City’s 6-1 win over Huddersfield on Sunday – later posted Eid greetings on his social media accounts. Sharing an image of himself at Mecca on Instagram, he wrote: “Eid Mubarak.”
Prayers took place at 10am on the playing fields at the high school, followed by refreshments and activities for children. In neighbouring Manchester, more than 6,000 people gathered in Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield for what organisers described as the ‘biggest Eid sermon in the north.’
The celebration began yesterday morning and is due to continue until 8pm tonight.
As well as prayers, a range of activities for families including a fun fair, inflatable rides and stalls are put on each year.
This year’s event focuses on unity. People of ‘all faiths and traditions’ are invited to attend.
Eid ul-Adha – or Eid al Adha as it is also known – is one of the holiest days of the year in the Muslim calendar.
The festival is also known Eid Kabir, meaning Big Eid or Greater Eid. It comes after Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, in June.
Eid ul-Adha starts on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah – which means ‘month of pilgrimage’ – and lasts until the 13th day.
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.
The date of Eid ul-Adha changes each year.