Thousands of people from Christchurch and beyond gathered at Hagley Park on April 23, 2023, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Hosted by Asturlab Cultural Centre in association with Christchurch City Council, Sakinah Community Trust and Simurg Music School, this was reportedly the largest-ever Eid celebration. This also marked the second time an open-air Eid celebration was held in Christchurch.
After a month of fasting, the celebration brought together thousands of Muslims from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and other countries. Pacifica, Asian and non-Muslim New Zealanders, as well as many tourists, were also present to enjoy the festivities.
The Asturlab Cultural Centre and volunteers made good arrangements to celebrate this much-awaited festival in the heart of the city. Visitors were welcomed with dates and hot spice tea, and the entire venue was decorated with colourful ethnic lanterns that glowed as the sun set.
The event featured a stage where Simurgh Music School provided entertainment for the evening, and from where prayers were also recited. Various stalls were set up to sell food and traditional ware. There were also stalls for henna painting and children’s entertainment. The aroma of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine filled the air, while melodious traditional music played in the background.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two main Islamic religious festivals, along with Eid al-Adha. The festival is celebrated after a month of fasting during Ramadan. It is a time for special prayers and festivities, as well as visits to the homes of friends and relatives.
Labour MP and minister Megan Woods attended the event, and later said, “Eid Mubarak - so good to catch up with friends and enjoy the largest Eid celebration Christchurch has ever seen. Crisp evening filled with love, laughter and friendship - this is what overcoming hatred looks like. Well done to Asturlab Cultural Centre and all the organisers for an amazing event.”
One attendee, Reza Khan, expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “It was definitely the biggest Eid celebration that I have been a part of while being in New Zealand. It is wonderful to see the wider community so warmly celebrating this festival with their Muslim friends. My family and parents had a great time enjoying the food, music, and meeting people.”
Asturlab Cultural Centre, a Christchurch-based charity established in July 2021, provided a safe space to showcase and celebrate the cultural heritage of ethnic Muslim people who have migrated to New Zealand from different countries.
Simurgh Music School holds classes in traditional music instruments for people of all ages and backgrounds, specialising in instruments from the Middle East, as well as surrounding regions of the Mediterranean, Central Asia and India.
Sakinah Community Trust is a women-led organisation consisting of widows, mothers and daughters of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attack. The trust is committed to supporting the development of long-term community response and engagement towards shifting societal attitudes.
The vibrant Eid celebration helped Christchurch celebrate its diversity and emphasise the importance of embracing different cultures and traditions.
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