Eid al-Fitr 2016 in Pictures: Capturing Vibrant Traditions in the Muslim Ummah
Eid al-Fitr 2016 in Pictures: Capturing Vibrant Traditions in the Muslim Ummah
On the day of Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan is over and Muslims celebrate by praying, giving gifts and having a big feast with family and friends. Eid celebrations begin when a new crescent moon appears in the evening sky, which means that Eid can be on a different day each year. Eid al-Fitr is also known as the “Sweet Eid” as the Muslims worldwide celebrate this glorious festival with a variety of sweet dishes. It is the first day of the month of Shawwal when people gather in mosques and give thanks to their Mighty Creator (SWT). The traditions around the world vary but scrumptious foods remain an important ingredient of the Eid festivities. Let’s have a look at Eid al-Fitr celebrations around the world.
1 – Getting Ready for the Eid Prayers
A man performs ablution before the morning prayers for Eid al-Fitr in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ablution is the Islamic ritual of washing parts of one’s body in a bid to get ready to offer Salah. (Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)
2 – Passing Peace unto Each Other
The faithful embrace each other after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Behsood district of Nangarhar Province, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. (Photograph: Ghulamullah Habibi/EPA)
3 – A Believer Never Fears Death
Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the site of a suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq. Despite being at the receiving end of outrageous bomb attacks this Eid, Iraqis celebrated Eid al-Fitr with great religious zeal and fervor. (Photograph: Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters)
4 – Facing Atrocities Bravely
A Palestinian woman along with her couple of girls reads the Holy Quran next to the grave of her son at a cemetery on the first day of Eid in Gaza City. (Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)
5 – Young Believer Bows Down Before Allah (SWT)
A child offers namaz at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photograph: Darren Whiteside/Reuters)
6 – Eid al-Fitr in China
Believers arrive at the historic Niujie mosque in Beijing, China. (Photograph: Damir Sagolj/Reuters)
7 – Kids Get Ready for Celebrations after Prayers
A Malaysian girl looks on after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala Lumpur (Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/ AFP)
8 – Family Prayers
A Chinese Hui Muslim family prays at the “Sheikh’s Tombs” after Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in Beijing (Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
9 – Congregational Eid Prayers
Malaysian Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala Lumpur. (Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP)
10 – Eid in Libya
Muslim worshippers gather on Martyrs’ Square in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers. (Photograph: Mahmud Turkia/AFP)
11 – It’s Henna Time!
A young girl with hands decorated with henna looks on after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala Lumpur. (Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP)
12 – Forget the Differences
Worshippers hug, after offering prayers at the start of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, at the Jami mosque in Herat province, Afghanistan. (Photograph: Aref Karimi/AFP)
13 – Sea of Sands
The faithful walk on “Sea of Sands” after they perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Photograph: Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
14 – Giving Thanks to the Almighty (SWT)
Muslims pray outside the central mosque in Moscow, Russia as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. (Photograph: Alexander Utkin/AFP)
15 – The Magnificent Faith Sultan Mosque
The faithful offer prayers as they mark the first day of Eid al-Fitr at Fatih Sultan Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photograph: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
16 – Glory be to Allah (SWT)
Muslims pray in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. (Photograph: Vyacheslav Oseledko/AFP)
17 – Time for Celebrations!
A Muslim man fires a cannon from a vantage point overlooking Sarajevo, Bosnia to mark the end of daily fasting on the final day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. (Photograph: Elvis Burukcic/AFP)
18 – Security Beefed up for Eid Prayers
Police stand among Russian Muslims praying outside Moscow’s central mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr (Photograph: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP)
19 – Humble Worshippers
Pakistani Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers at a Mosque, in Karachi. (Photograph: Metro News via EPA)
20 – Eid Prayers in Cairo
Egyptians attend Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan, at a public park, outside al-Seddik Mosque in Cairo. (Photograph: Associated Press)
21 – Philippine Braces for Eid
Muslims participate in morning prayers as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Grand Mosque in the Philippine city of Cotabato. (Photograph: Getty Images)
22 – Sharing Eid Festivities with at the Border
Pakistani Wing Commander Bilal (C) presents sweets to Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General JS Oberoi (2R) on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr at the India Pakistan Wagah Border Post. (Photograph: Narinder Nanu/AFP)
23 – Spreading the Message of Love
Women hug each other after offering the Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Badshahi Mosque. (Photograph: Arif Ali/AFP)
24 – Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria
Emir of Kano, Muhammad Lamido Sanusi II rides a horse after attending the Eid al-Fitr prayers at Kofa Mata praying ground in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano. (Photograph: Akintunde/Reuters)
25 – Race for Balloons
Children race to get balloons after the prayers of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Amman, Jordan. (Photograph: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters)