PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of Muslims from the Philadelphia area gathered near the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park on Tuesday to close out Ramadan with a massive community Eid al-Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast."
Eid in the Park happens twice a year, and it brings together Muslim communities from all over the Delaware Valley to pray and play together. While the perfect weather probably didn't hurt attendance numbers, Dean Harris says he's watched this event grow to its now massive size over the last few decades.
"It's been growing year after year. It's been growing. I remember 25 years ago, maybe 1,000 people at the most. It's amazing," Harris said.
While many adults were gathered in prayer, children played in giant bounce houses and took part in other activities, including face painting, dodgeball, and a double dutch competition.
Among the vendors at #EidInThePark is Hasiynah & fam with #NewFreedomPies. She's put her own twist on traditional bean pies adding Cookies-N-Cream, pineapple & more. I tried CNC & a plain one, & both were incredible-- Seriously I might drive back over for more-- @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/MHPu9UOZu1
— Dan Wing (@dwingReports)
June 4, 2019 Hasiynah runs New Freedom Pies and sells bean pies at Eid in the Park. Her stand has become pretty popular at the annual gathering. The original recipe came from her great aunt, she said, but she has put her own twist on them, adding cookies-and-cream, pineapple and other desert toppings.
Hasiynah says Eid in the Park is a great way to build community, and it's also a great way to keep the kids entertained.
"And that's really a plus, 'cause there's not really many things for the children to do around here. So to have Eid every year — well, twice a year. It's really good," she said.
In addition to all the fun outside, the Please Touch Museum waived admission costs for the day in honor of the Eid festivities.
