Big John’s Birmingham Mela postponed due to Gaza Conflict

The annual Big John’s Birmingham Mela has been postponed until 2025 due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The “largest Asian outdoor event in the UK” celebrated its 22nd anniversary in 2023, with audiences enjoying traditional street food, shopping bazaars and musical entertainment at Cannon Hill Park.

However, organisers said it was “not appropriate” to hold a 2024 event until the “war against the innocent ends”.

Organisers have stated that the event will return in 2025.

Bob Saddiq, spokesperson and organiser of the Mela, said in a statement:

“Due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the heavy loss of more than 40,000 lives predominately women and children, it is not appropriate for a responsible cultural event organisation to put on a large community event celebrating.

“We stand in solidarity with humanity and Palestine and pray that this war against the innocent ends now.”

Ambreen Khan, Director of Events, added: “As much as our Mela is very popular and the largest Mela in the UK, we are mindful of the sentiments and emotions of our visitors at this very point in time.

“The Mela attracts visitors from up and down the country and has been awarded for being one of the best Asian outdoor events in the UK.”

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters attacked hundreds of Israelis.

Since then, the Israel Defence Forces have carried out sustained attacks within the Gaza Strip.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health estimates more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed so far.

The conflict sparked numerous protests across the UK including Birmingham, where Gaza was a key issue for Muslim voters during the general election.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Labour MPs in Birmingham were criticised for refusing to vote for a ceasefire.

Big John’s Birmingham Mela attracts over 60,000 visitors every year.

The Mela returned in 2022 after a nearly three-year break due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The 2023 event was a one-day affair, with famous artists like Pakistani singer Ali Zafar in the line-up.

Other artists included Hosai, Nikita Kanda, Firstman, Mani Liaqat, Metz and Trix, Haseeb Haze and Muki, Rahim Pardesi, Asif Khan, Chahat Mehmood Ali Qawwal, Ameen Tady and Jaan Ali Khan.