• • Photos: Thousands fill U.S. Bank Stadium for 'Super Eid' celebration

The field of U.S. Bank Stadium was packed Tuesday morning with nearly 30,000 people gathered to celebrate the Muslim holiday Eid Al-Adha, in what event organizers called "Super Eid."

The holiday has been celebrated in Minnesota for decades, but this marked the first time a celebration has been held in the massive sports venue.

Prayer rugs were laid out along yard lines and into the end zone for two morning prayers. Those were followed by a carnival in Commons Park.

Traditionally, Eid Al-Adha calls for the sacrifice of an animal. But the only animals at the event were in the carnival's petting farm - there to entertain the children, and adults, too!



Two men bow their heads during the first of two morning prayers at the "Super Eid" celebration inside of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Evan Frost | MPR News



Two women take pictures of each other in front of the scoreboard during the "Super Eid" celebration. Evan Frost | MPR News


Thousands of people bow in prayer. Evan Frost | MPR News


A young girl plays on a sculpture in front of U.S. Bank Stadium. Evan Frost | MPR News



Strollers stack up as people find their spots for morning prayer. Evan Frost | MPR News



The U.S. flag hangs above the field during the "Super Eid" celebration inside of U.S. Bank Stadium as people leave after prayer. Evan Frost | MPR News


 

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Hatim Qadri stood in the end zone at U.S. Bank Stadium in a well-worn Randy Moss jersey and watched 15,000 of his fellow Muslims trickle out onto the turf and unfurl rugs to pray.

"In a few seconds everyone will be kneeling," said Qadri of Eden Prairie. "Both knees on the ground [to praise] God. I think that's a beautiful thing."

The crowd at the stadium Tuesday morning - doting mothers, disinterested teens, women in flowing robes and men in T-shirts and sneakers among them - gathered to observe the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in an event organizers called "Super Eid." It wasn't the first large-scale public Eid celebration in Minnesota, but organizers said it drew about 30,000 people over two prayer sessions.

"I have been here for 43 years, and this has not happened before," said Syed Dara who will teach chemistry at St. Catherine University this fall. "It's really, really historic."

The holiday honors the prophet Ibrahim, also known as Abraham in Judaism and Christianity, and his willingness to sacrifice his son for God. It comes at the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage. It is one of the holiest days of the year for Muslims, who celebrate with prayer, shared meals and gifts.

In some places, families who can afford it slaughter an animal and share the meat with family and charities. No animals were sacrificed at the stadium Tuesday.

Organizers had worried some people might protest at the stadium after misinformation about the event spread on social media. But on Tuesday, there didn't appear to be any protesters present. Instead, people held signs with welcoming messages greeting thousands as they trickled into the stadium.

Amber Geist drove from Menomonie, Wis., on Monday, stayed with a friend and arrived at the stadium at 7:30 a.m. to show support. She said hundreds of attendees had stopped to say thank you, take pictures and give hugs