Gravesend Eid Community Mela Shines Again
Over a two thousand people gathered at Fort Gardens in Gravesend on Sunday 15th June to celebrate the Eid Community Mela — a vibrant event produced by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Gravesend Skills Centre, Kent Muslim Hands, Arts Council England, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, and local community members.
The Mela was created to mark Eid Ul Adhar and promote unity among diverse communities in Gravesham, celebrating together regardless of faith. It featured a rich mix of artists, performances, and community stalls that reflected the cultural diversity of the local Muslim community and beyond.
The main stage programme showcased a lively array of international acts, including a soulful performance by Syrian duo Jamal and Alaa, and a stirring set by renowned Pakistani Qawwali artist Qaiser Mahmood Qawwal. Bangladeshi pop stars Shumon Sharif and Laboni Barua lit up the stage with their high-energy set, while DJ Amit from Replay Roadshow kept the crowd moving with his upbeat tracks.
There were family-friendly activities such as face painting, henna artwork and a variety of food and community stalls to entertain. These included local partners from the Gravesham Community Safety Partnership, Kent Police and Rethink Mental Illness alongside national partners from the Home office Engagement Team and the Windrush Team.
Civic guests in attendance included the High Sheriff of Kent, Jonathan Neame DL, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Gurvinder Sandher as well as faith leaders such as Senior Vice President of the Gravesend Guru Nanak Gurdwara Indi Sall and Chair of the North Kent Interfaith Forum Bishop Greg Kitsell.
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus, said:
“Our core mission is to use the arts to bring communities together and break down barriers. The Eid Community Mela exemplified this, providing a platform for culturally diverse artists while fostering a sense of togetherness. I’m grateful to everyone who attended—whether Muslim or not—for making the event so special. It was personally meaningful to be part of the celebrations while representing the Lord Lieutenant, His Majesty the King’s official representative in Kent.”
Khawar Khurshid from Gravesend Skills Centre, one of the Mela’s key community partners, added: “We were proud to support this year’s Eid Community Mela. Eid is a significant celebration for Muslims across the globe, and this event gave us the opportunity to share that joy with friends and neighbours from all backgrounds. It truly reflected the spirit of community.”
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The holiday is marked by prayers, charitable giving, and community celebrations around the world.
This local Mela aimed to use the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha to bring communities together, promote interfaith understanding, and celebrate cultural diversity in Gravesham.
