For the first time in UK television history, a live Eid prayer service will be broadcast on terrestrial TV as part of two special programmes celebrating Eid al-Fitr 2025. Eid Live and Celebrity Eid, both produced from Bradford, the UK City of Culture 2025, will air on BBC One and iPlayer this spring, bringing one of the most significant moments in the Islamic calendar into homes across the country.
The live broadcast, Eid Live, will be presented by BBC’s Jason Mohammad alongside Imam Qari Asim MBE from Bradford Central Mosque. The programme will provide audiences with a front-row seat to the morning prayers, sermon, and rituals of Eid, with expert insights offering deeper understanding into the significance of the celebrations.
Later in the day, Celebrity Eid will bring together well-known Muslim personalities and their friends, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to celebrate the arrival of Eid, reflecting the rich cultural and religious diversity of the UK.
Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics at the BBC, described the project as a landmark moment for British television.
“We’d been looking for the right project for a while, and when Amplify Consulting and Firecracker approached us with this idea, we knew we had to do it. It has been developed and produced by a highly experienced, Muslim-led team, and with Bradford celebrating its year as UK City of Culture 2025, this felt like the perfect time and place,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to be celebrating Eid on such a large scale, inviting viewers, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to join in this important and joyful moment in the religious calendar.”
The project is being produced as a co-production between Firecracker Films and Bradford-based Amplify Consulting. Executive Producer Aaqil Ahmed from Amplify Consulting highlighted the significance of the broadcast.
“Ramadan and Eid are an integral part of the UK calendar. Marking and celebrating Eid reflects Britain’s diversity, and its place in BBC One’s schedule is a key moment in the evolution of Britain’s Muslim community. We are proud and excited not only to serve Muslim audiences but to also, for the first time, show viewers what Eid prayers entail and how Bradford’s Muslims celebrate across this vibrant city.”
The programmes, Eid Live (40 minutes) and Celebrity Eid (45 minutes), will feature a team of experienced producers and directors, including Senior Producer Farah Qayum, Live Director Helen Scott, and Producer Director Ahmed Peerbux. The project is commissioned by Daisy Scalchi and executive produced by Aaqil Ahmed (Amplify Consulting) and Jes Wilkins (Firecracker).
With this historic broadcast, the BBC is set to mark a milestone in representation and inclusivity, offering audiences nationwide an opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural significance of Eid like never before.
