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Thousands Gather at Vancouver Convention Centre for MAC’s 2026 Eid Festival
2-25-2026
VANCOUVER, BC , March 20, 2026— The Muslim community in lower mainland came together in large numbers to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Vancouver Convention Centre, in an event organized by the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC). Drawing approximately 8,000 attendees, the gathering stood out as the largest Eid celebration in the region this year.
The day began with two congregational prayers and sermons to accommodate the large turnout. The first prayer was held at 8:30 a.m. and led by Dr. Mohamed Kahn, followed by a second prayer at 10:30 a.m. led by Mufti Yahya Momla. The dual-prayer arrangement ensured that families and individuals from across the Lower Mainland had the opportunity to participate comfortably in this important religious observance marking the end of Ramadan.
Following the prayers, festivities officially began at 11:30 a.m., transforming the venue into a vibrant space for families and community members of all ages. A wide range of activities were organized, including bouncy castles, face painting, balloon twisting, motion-controlled digital games, and immersive virtual reality experiences. These attractions created a welcoming and joyful environment, particularly for children and youth, reinforcing the family-oriented spirit of Eid. Since Eid day occurred on a Friday, a Jummua prayer was organized for the attendees at 2:00 p.m and the prayer and sermon was led by Sh. Hamed Nabhan.
Food services were also thoughtfully arranged to meet the needs of attendees. Lot 185 Café at the VCC provided halal food options, ensuring that guests could enjoy meals in accordance with their religious dietary requirements.
CBC news was also onsite covering this momentous occasion and their correspondent Johna Baylon said that “ folks we have spoken to say one thing, they mention the word happiness quite a lot. People are happy to be celebrating with loved ones, family, and friends… happy to be here with community celebrating Eid”.
The event continued until 3:00 p.m., with many attendees spending several hours reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, and celebrating together. Notably, the gathering also welcomed individuals who had performed their Eid prayer on Thursday, extending the sense of community beyond a single day of observance.
Behind the scenes, close to 100 volunteers contributed their time and effort to ensure the event ran smoothly. From logistics and crowd coordination to activity management and guest services, their dedication played a crucial role in the day’s success. “I thank Allah for his bounty and I am also very grateful to all the volunteers that have worked tirelessly and with altruism to serve their community. Its such a privilege to work alongside them and may Allah reward them abundantly” said Fouad Abbassi, Director of Civic Engagement and Event Manager.
MAC expressed its sincere gratitude to all attendees, volunteers, donors, and sponsors whose support made the event possible. The organization emphasized that such gatherings are made meaningful through collective effort and continued community engagement.
As the celebration concluded, the event once again reinforced its place as a cherished tradition. For many families in the lower mainland, MAC Eid Festival gathering has become a family legacy event—one that brings people together in a spirit of unity, joy, and shared belonging. In a diverse and growing city, it serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community and the importance of coming together to celebrate faith, culture, and togetherness.
About the Muslim Association of Canada
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) is a Canadian, independent, national, faith-based, charitable organization that provides spaces, services and programs for holistic education and personal development for Canadian Muslims. MAC has chapters in 13 major cities across the country alongside 20 mosques and community centers, 30 full-time, part-time schools and daycares. In all, MAC serves over 200,000 community members across Canada. The MAC Vancouver Islamic Centre is located at 2122 Kingsway Avenue and provides a variety of programs and services to the community.
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