Muslims around the world marked Eid al-Fitr on Friday, celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.
The festival begins with the sighting of the new moon, signaling the start of Shawwal. As some countries rely on physical moon sightings, the date of Eid varied, with nations such as Mali, Niger, and Afghanistan observing the festival a day earlier on Thursday, while others across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia celebrated on Friday.
Eid al-Fitr is a two-day religious celebration distinct from Eid al-Adha, which takes place during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Traditionally, Eid begins with special congregational prayers held in open spaces, followed by gatherings of family and friends, communal meals, and festive activities.
This year, the celebrations take place against a backdrop of conflict and instability in several regions. In Iran, ongoing war has disrupted daily life, while parts of the Gulf are experiencing spillover effects of regional tensions.
According to the United Nations, more than one million people have been displaced in Lebanon amid expanding Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, Sudan continues to face what is described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, as its conflict enters a third year.
Children in Gaza celebrated Eid al-Fitr without Israeli bombardment for the first time in two years.
Palestinians living in Khan Yunis in Gaza performed Eid prayers amid the rubble of the al-Huda Mosque, which was destroyed in Israeli attacks, and in tents surrounding it.
At the Tokyo Mosque in Japan, Eid prayers were performed five times due to the large number of attendees.
