Muslims gathered to celebrate Eid by helping people affected by Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

Muslims from across Houston travelled to an Islamic centre in Houston for Eid ul Adha to help victims of the flooding.

They lay down mats and blankets on the gym floor of the Champions Islamic Center for people seeking shelter from storm Harvey, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

They also donated clothes and boxes of food line the walls.

The gym was originally supposed to host hundreds of people during the Friday morning prayer for the Eid al-Adha festival, also known as the festival of sacrifice and one of Islam’s holiest days.


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But the mosque’s leaders have been adamant: No matter how many people attend the prayers, the shelter will not close to evacuees.



Houston’s Muslim community, estimated to be at least 50,000 people, has opened many of its community centres and sent hundreds of volunteers to serve food and deliver donations. Some have rescued neighbours from high water.

Islamic leaders and scholars say the work underscores the spirit of the festival, which commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim — also known as Abraham to Christians and Jews — to sacrifice his son before God stayed his hand. For the holiday, Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.