The GAA and Croke Park will host the Muslim celebration of Eid Al Adha this Sunday, June 16, the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council (IMPIC) confirmed on Thursday, June 13.
This will be the fifth time the celebration will be hosted in Croke Park, the headquarters of the GAA.
IMPIC has invited Muslim families and their friends to come together for the Eid Al-Adha Prayers and Eid Festival this Sunday.
The Eid Prayer will be performed at 10:30 am on Sunday, followed by the Eid Festival which will feature many stalls, henna, Halal food, face painting, and children's GAA games.
IMPIC added: "We will also request you to all express your solidarity with Palestine."
Organizers said they have added a small fee to this year's event after "400 registrations were recorded by anti-Muslim groups online" last year.
GAA President Jarlath Burns welcomed the news that Eid is returning to Croke Park in 2024.
"Once again we extend a warm welcome to members of the Irish Muslim Community on what is an important date in the Muslim calendar," Burns said in a statement on Thursday.
"While the challenges of Covid originally led to the celebrations taking place at Croke Park for the first time, this will be the fifth occasion the GAA has hosted the event and the first since the more severe restrictions of the pandemic lifted.
"Our games and activities are for all and I believe the cooperation between the GAA and the Irish Muslim Council underlines our commitment to diversity and inclusion."
Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, chairperson of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council, also welcomed the news that Eid will return to Croke Park.
"The continuation of this iconic event at Croke Park is a symbol of hope and positivity for the wider Irish Muslim community, and a testament to the GAA's commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion," Al-Qadri said.
Eíd ag Páirc an Chrócaigh ??☘️☪️
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) June 13, 2024
ag teacht go luat… pic.twitter.com/vTtVz0OiiZ
On Thursday, the Irish Muslim Council confirmed that Christian and other faith leaders will also be in attendance.
GRMMA @officialgaa ! We can confirm Christian and other faith leaders will also join #EidinCrokePark
— Irish Muslim Council (@IrishMuslimCoun) June 13, 2024
Croke Park first held Eid celebrations in July 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdown restrictions permitted no more than 50 people at indoor religious ceremonies.
?? Thank you @officialgaa and @CrokePark for hosting Eid in Croke Park for the fourth time! Despite the rain, we had a successful event indoors, bringing hundreds of Irish Muslims together in celebration. Grateful for the support and unity. #EidinCrokePark #IrishMuslims pic.twitter.com/j0i3IUuUnq
— Irish Muslim Council (@IrishMuslimCoun) June 28, 2023
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