MORE than 1,000 people gathered in Oxford to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha at the Kassam Stadium yesterday.

Organisers moved the traditional celebration to the football ground because of the level of interest locally, not just from Muslims but also people of other religions and nationalities.

They joined more than one billion people worldwide in celebrating the festival, which this year fell on November 16.

Organisers estimated about 1,200 people took part in the event, which they said proved so popular they may have to find bigger premises again next year.

Dr Hojjat Ramzy, chairman of Oxford’s Iqra School, said: “We are delighted with how it went.

“It was wonderful to see people of all faiths come along and help celebrate a very important day for Muslims.

“The conference rooms were extremely busy and it was great to see such a large turnout.”

Guests dined together downstairs before taking part in prayers.

Bouncy castles, face painting, glitter tattoos and a clown were all on offer for the youngsters.

Oxfordshire county councillor Saj Malik was among those taking part.

He said: “Eid Al Adha is a very important festival for us which lets us come together as a community.

“Just as important, though, is that it allows us to welcome members of other faiths and religions to join us for the celebrations.

“Muslim families across the city attend and take part in various Christmas celebrations, and events like this allow us to open up our culture to others.”

Mariam Chamera, who recently moved to Oxford from Poland, said: “It was a good chance to meet people who I haven’t seen for maybe a whole year.”

Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice or Greater Eid, commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead.

A goat is sacrificed as part of the festival, and is divided into three parts to be distributed to others. The family retains one third of the share, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor and needy.

Eid Al Adha is the second of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims.

Yahia Guerine, another of the event’s organisers, said: “Some people came from as far away as London.

“We are looking for a larger venue for next year. We are considering South Park, perhaps with a marquee.”