Hawzah News Agency - (Birmingham - UK) - The lifting of lockdown restrictions means congregational prayers and sermons are possible for the second main Eid event in the Islamic calendar.

The 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar is under way and that means Eid al-Adha 2020 is fast approaching.

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

It's the second main Eid event of the year.

Whereas the earlier Eid al-Fitr means 'festival of breaking the fast' and marks the end of the daily fasting through the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha means 'festival of the sacrifice'.

It honours devotion to Allah/God as was demonstrated by Ibrahim when he was commanded to sacrifice his own son, Ismael. He was about to obey when he was shown a ram to sacrifice instead.

Strict lockdown rules meant there were no public celebrations allowed for Eid al-Fitr. Mosques and parks were closed and no gatherings for prayers could take place.

But the easing of restrictions means more activity can take place for Eid al-Adha because mosques reopened earlier this month.

At Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre in Birmingham, Eid prayers and sermons will take place.

GLMCC officials confirmed there will be be no mass gathering in Small Heath Park for Eid al-Adha this year. Around 60,000 usually attend the annual prayers and festivities.

GLMCC chief executive Kamran Hussain said: "We will be holding Eid prayer in the mosque.

"We are expecting a decent turnout so have arranged six separate congregational prayers and sermons, starting from 6am through to 11am.

"People will only be in the mosque for 20 to 30 minutes so this allows for adequate time between the prayers for people to arrive and leave without clashing.

"We are also requesting registration to ensure that we control the numbers at each prayer."