Hundreds attend Bromsgrove Eid Festival

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MORE THAN 500 people turned out to Bromsgrove’s annual Eid Festival, which took place at the Spadesbourne Suite last Saturday (November 17).

The event was run by the Bromsgrove Muslim Community Trust, in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council.

The afternoon featured a variety of entertainment, including music and a magician, along with Indian food and more.

During the celebration, Bromsgrove youngster Ayman Azmi was presented with a prestigious No Barriers award by the town’s civic head, Coun Janice Boswell, in recognition for him helping sight-impaired people.

The seven-year-old was inspired into action during last year’s Celebrate Eid in Bromsgrove festival when he heard local resident Stephanie Sergeant give a speech about life as a sight-impaired person.

Then, when he was just six, he championed the cause among friends, neighbours and relatives and went on, with their help, to raise money for the registered charity Communication for Blind and Disabled People.

One year on, thanks to Ayman’s efforts, three sight-impaired people have been trained in using the latest smartphone GPS technology and now find it easier to get around.

Ayman was presented with his own Bromsgrove No Barriers award by Coun Boswell at last Saturday’s event.

She congratulated him and said: “I’m sure we can all agree this is a remarkable and inspirational thing for such a young person to be motivated to do, and to have made such a positive contribution to the wider aims of disabled people - improving independence and quality of life.”

Ayman’s proud dad, Dr Waqar Azmi, said the family was over the moon.

“Ayman is a very special child who is bright, mature and has natural concern for others in his school council role and the local scout group.”

He added he hoped the award would inspire other children to help others and treat them as they want to be treated.

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