One London faith community is reaching out to another, offering up its football field for feast day prayers.

London’s Muslim community is gathering on the football field at St. Andre Bessette Catholic high school Friday morning to kick off Eid-al-Adha, the second — and most holy — of the two annual Muslim holidays.

“We’re really saying welcome to them in a really neat way where they’re learning about us and we’re going to be learning about them,” said Linda Staudt, director of education at the London District Catholic school board.

When the local Muslim community approached the board about using the space, Staudt said it jumped at the chance.

“It’s an opportunity for us to practise what we’re teaching. It’s really an opportunity to learn more about our Muslim neighbours,” she said.

Eid-al-Adha prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Staudt expects at least 3,000 faithful will flock to the football field for the morning service.

The four-day Muslim holiday, which wraps up Monday evening, honours Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, to obey God’s wishes.

Staudt hopes Friday’s prayer gathering will pave the way for future collaborations with London’s Muslim community.

“The response from our system has been wonderful,” said Staudt, adding the Catholic board’s high schools welcome students of all faiths. “The people that we’re inviting . . . will be some of our very own students and parents . . . We’re just showing to our Muslim neighbours our willingness to work with them and engage in a future dialogue.”