On the evenings of Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June the exterior facade of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up green in celebration of Eid.

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. It honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God's command.

However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed. Part of their meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed.

Devotees offer the Eid al-Adha prayers at the mosque. Eid prayers must be offered in congregation. At the conclusion of the prayers and sermon, Muslims embrace and exchange greetings with one another (Eid Mubarak), give gifts and visit one another. Many Muslims also take this opportunity to invite their friends, neighbours, co-workers and classmates to their Eid festivities to better acquaint them about Islam and Muslim culture.