Central London grinds to a halt as thousands of Muslims celebrate holy day – and even Morgan Freeman joined in

  • Thousands of Muslims marched through London today for Ashura
  • Festival brought traffic in city centre to a halt with Oxford Street closed
  • Many demonstrated against terrorism and ISIS with flags and banners
  • Morgan Freeman was spotted at a mosque filming a new documentary 

By Joseph Curtis For Mailonline

Published: 11:54 EST, 12 October 2016 | Updated: 11:54 EST, 12 October 2016

Traffic in central London ground to a halt today as thousands of Muslims celebrated the festival of Ashura.

Huge crowds of people gathered to march down Oxford Street carrying flags and placards denouncing terrorism.

The road was closed at Marble Arch for the procession commemorating the death of the grandson of Muhammad.

Even Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was part of the festival, attending a majlis, a sit-down gathering of Muslims at the Al-Khoei Foundation mosque in Queen's Park.

Thousands of Muslims marched through London today, pictured, for the Ashura Festival

Thousands of Muslims marched through London today, pictured, for the Ashura Festival

Many were demonstrating against ISIS and terrorism and their procession saw much of Oxford Street, pictured, closed

Many were demonstrating against ISIS and terrorism and their procession saw much of Oxford Street, pictured, closed

The demonstration drew a warm reception from the crowds that gathered to watch
Thousands of Muslims marched through Oxford Street for the festival of Ashura

Bystanders were seen cheering and applauding the event as the Muslims commemorated the death of Mohammad's grandson

Even Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was in London for the event, attending a service at a mosque in Queen's Park, pictured, to film a documentary for National Geographic

Even Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was in London for the event, attending a service at a mosque in Queen's Park, pictured, to film a documentary for National Geographic

Freeman, who has twice played God in Bruce Almighty and sequel Evan Almighty, was at the meeting while filming documentary The Story of God for National Geographic.

Meanwhile banners on show at the peaceful march in Oxford Street included the messages 'Terrorism is non-Islamic' and 'British Muslims condemn ALL acts of terrorism'.

In video footage of the demonstration other placards could be seen reading 'men and women are equal in Islam' and 'terrorism has no religion'.

The response to the event was mainly positively received by Londoners although some were unhappy at how it was managed by transport authorities with cancellations and delays to some bus services.

Christa Blackmon tweeted: 'Walked past the #Ashura festival which is lovely but dammit #London you could have told me it was going to cancel my bus home!'  

Many of the marchers were carrying banners denouncing terrorism, including this sign which says it has no place in religion, pictured

Many of the marchers were carrying banners denouncing terrorism, including this sign which says it has no place in religion, pictured

Other placards carried messages of equality between men and women in Islam, pictured

Other placards carried messages of equality between men and women in Islam, pictured

Some people were left frustrated by the event because it caused havoc with traffic

Some people were left frustrated by the event because it caused havoc with traffic

Others praised the 'positive energy' the demonstration in London, pictured, produced

Others praised the 'positive energy' the demonstration in London, pictured, produced

The festival has many customs and divides denominations of Islam, with Shia Muslims viewing it as a time for mourning, for example. 

Another custom is more mosques to provide free meals while donations of sweets are also common.

And one observer was delighted to receive a chocolate bar while watching the festival.

JimboJV tweeted: 'Just passed a massive march on Whitehall celebrating Muslim holy day. Even got a snickers as a gift!'

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