Eid al-Fitr 2023 – live: Muslims share greetings as Ramadan ends

Many Muslims across the world will mark the end of Ramadan today to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

It comes after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the moon last night. Mosques all across the city will be hosting special Eid prayers throughout the day while some have organised larger prayer spaces outside.

Eid is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the globe.

Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning. Once prayers are finished, Muslims will visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets.

Some events will also be held over the weekend to accommodate some Muslims who may choose to celebrate Eid on Saturday instead of today.

This means as many Muslims as possible will be able to spend the weekend visiting friends and family in order to wish them an Eid Mubarak and celebrate together.

Key Points

• Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday

• Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr

• Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt

• Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers

Park prayers moved indoors as Birmingham celebrates start of Eid al-Fitr

16:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Thousands of worshippers marked the start of Eid al-Fitr at Birmingham’s Green Lane mosque after the city’s largest outdoor prayer service was cancelled due to waterlogged ground at a nearby park.

The mosque in Small Heath added an extra prayer session after using social media channels to warn people planning to travel to the city that the outdoor event would not be able to go ahead.

In previous years Muslims from around the West Midlands, London and overseas have joined crowds estimated to number up to 60,000 in Small Heath Park.

Around 40,000 were expected to attend the park this year, while several hundred more were set to gather at Edgbaston’s Colts cricket ground.

A spokesman for Green Lane Masjid said: “Because of the weather the ground was waterlogged so we weren’t able to pray at Small Heath Park and Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

“Instead of doing one (outdoor gathering) we planned four prayer sessions for around 3,000 people in each (at the mosque).”

A fifth was later added to cater for demand, the spokesman added.

Matthew Cooper reports:

Park prayers moved indoors as Birmingham celebrates start of Eid al-Fitr

When is the second Eid celebrated?

15:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Eid-Ul-Adha is also known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ and is typically celebrated two months after Eid-Al-Fitr. Eid-Ul-Adha marks the completion of Hajj, The Muslim Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca and is a reminder to many Muslims of the willingness and sacrifice Prophet Abraham made.

Eid-Ul-Adha is considered as the ‘bigger’ Eid celebration, where many Muslims complete their ‘Hajj’ and sacrifice a sheep or goat. The meat is then shared equally between family, friends and those that are in need. Charity is a big part of the Muslim faith and one of the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’, so Eid is another reminder for Muslims around the world, to give even in moments of celebration.

Eid is also a celebration of life, devotion and understanding of the Muslim faith.

Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr

14:00 , Eleanor Noyce

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has shared a message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr.

“Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Scotland, and across the world who are celebrating today”, Mr Yousaf tweeted on Friday morning.

“I am looking forward to time with family, friends, and after a month of fasting, looking forward to my mum’s home cooking!

“Whatever you are doing today, have a wonderful Eid.”

Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt

13:00 , Eleanor Noyce

In pictures: The first day of Eid-Al-Fitr, from Syria to Kyrgyzstan

12:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday

11:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire from 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Friday after six days of fighting. Coinciding with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid-Al-Fitr, the move was to allow residents to reunite with their families.

“The truce coincides with the blessed Eid-Al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” the RSF said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from the army and its chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who did not mention a ceasefire in a pre-recorded speech posted on the army’s Facebook page.

Khartoum, the capital, was rocked by bombing and shelling before the ceasefire announcement and witnesses heard gunfire as the ceasefire, and morning Eid prayers, were due to begin.

How to say Happy Eid to Muslim friends

10:30 , Eleanor Noyce

My colleague Faiza Saqib writes:

Everyone is welcome to celebrate! If you have Muslim friends or co-workers, be sure to just wish them an “Eid Mubarak” or “Happy Eid”.

You can get involved by dressing up or just acknowledging the celebration that many are partaking in around the globe.

Read more:

Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK?

What does Eid al-Fitr mean in English?

09:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan.

Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. It’s a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month.

This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

How do Muslims celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr?

09:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan.

Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. It’s a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month.

This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Eid celebrations begin with special prayers at the mosque. Many Muslims dress in new garments, as it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would wear his best cloak to commemorate this day.

Community members, family and friends also gather to share sweet treats, gifts and stories. It’s a festival that celebrates the goodness of life and the blessings that came with the Holy month of fasting.

Women welcome Eid by applying henna on their hands to mark the celebration, which has been a tradition for many centuries. Children are also commonly gifted with money or toys from elders.

Faiza Saqib reports:

Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK?

Eid-Al-Fitr: Why does the date change?

08:54 , Eleanor Noyce

The final night of Ramadan has passed and Eid-Al-Fitr is here, as Muslims prepare for celebrations around the globe.

Eid al-Fitr is calculated in accordance with the sighting of the new moon by the Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee and is typically announced by local Mosques.

The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 20 April, therefore Eid al-Fitr will now be marked and celebrated on Friday 21 April.

Each year the Islamic Lunar calendar is typically shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days and usually Eid and Ramadan rotate and are celebrated in different seasons of the year.

However, the precise timings and dates change from country to country, depending on the geographical location.

Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers

08:26 , Eleanor Noyce

Muslims in Egypt have released hundreds of balloons after completing their Eid al-Fitr prayers as they mark the beginning of their three day holiday.

Pictures from outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo shows the balloons floating up into the air, with some families attempting to re-catch them.

Not all Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, with some due to start their holiday on Saturday instead.

Welcome

08:22 , Eleanor Noyce

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Eid al-Fitr.

Follow our blog for the latest update from the religious holiday.