Gravesend Eid Community Mela proves to be popular

Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus once again co-produced the Eid Community Mela celebrations in Gravesend, working in partnership with Gravesend Skills Centre and Kent Muslim Hands, on Sunday June 7th at the Fort Gardens.

The Mela was organised to mark Eid-ul-Adha and promote unity across Gravesham’s diverse communities, bringing people together to celebrate regardless of faith or background. The event featured a vibrant programme of performances both local and national including Qawwali and Bollywood, and community stalls that showcased the rich cultural diversity of the local Muslim community and the wider area.

A range of organisations, including Kent Police, Involve Kent, Rethink Mental Illness, Gravesend Cricket Club and many others, also attended the event, providing information and engaging with visitors throughout the day.

Among the civic guests were Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and KECC supremo Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Gravesham’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Baljit Hayre, Dr Lauren Sullivan MP for Gravesham and Chair of the North Kent Interfaith Forum Greg Kitsell, highlighting the event’s strong commitment to community cohesion and interfaith engagement.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of KECC, said:

“The Kent Equality Cohesion Council is committed to bringing people together and strengthening communities through partnership and support. The Eid Community Mela was a fantastic example of this, welcoming people from all backgrounds and faiths to celebrate together. We are proud to support events that promote inclusion, understanding, and community cohesion, and we look forward to continuing this work with our partners and local communities.”