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

Libyans are celebrating Islam’s Eid al-Fitr holiday on different days this year because of bitter political splits that persist despite years of peace efforts, Reuters reports.

Religious authorities in eastern Libya, aligned with the parliament which is based there, said they had sighted the crescent moon on Thursday, making it the last day of fasting and setting Friday as Eid.

In Tripoli, the capital, religious authorities linked to the national interim government said they had not seen the moon and the holiday would not begin until Saturday, meaning people should fast another day.

“This is madness and I pray it ends here,” said 50-year-old Ahmed Mesbah, in Tripoli, who has chosen to celebrate Eid on Friday. “We are divided among those who fast and those who have stopped fasting,” he added.

The date of Eid is normally set by the official religious authority in each country, but Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country split in 2014 between warring factions in east and west, a rift that remains despite comparative peace since 2020.

Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli said people should follow the grand mufti’s decision to wait until Saturday. The parliament, which backs a rival administration, said Eid started on Friday.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has thanked Muslim Londoners for “stepping up” during the cost-of-living crisis in a video message marking Eid al-Fitr.

“I’d like to wish everyone in London and around the world a very happy Eid al-Fitr”, the Mayor said.

“This Ramadan has provided so many wonderful, lasting memories, from switching on our city’s first-ever Ramadan Lights display in the West End, to breaking bread with Londoners of different ages, faiths and backgrounds at the home of cricket Lord’s here in Trafalgar Square and across our great city.

“This Ramadan has of course taken place against the backdrop of a terrible cost-of-living crisis, with millions of families struggling just to make ends meet.

“So it’s been inspiring to see British Muslims stepping up, donating generously to charity and demonstrating the true value of our religion by recognising and embracing our commitment to all people and communities.

“I want to thank Muslim Londoners for your positive contribution and all Londoners for your warmth, solidarity and support during this holy month.

“From my family to yours, Eid Mubarak.”

Ramadan is one of the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’, an act of worship that teaches patience, perseverance and charity. It’s a means of Muslims making time for worship and becoming closer to God.

Many Muslims fast to break away from bad habits, while also following the teachings of Islam, which is seen as a compulsory act of worship.

However, many are exempt if they are unable to fast, such as the elderly, pregnant women, those who are physically or mentally incapable, those who have not reached puberty yet and women who may be menstruating. Ramadan takes place for 29-30 days, during which time Muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset.

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The Taliban has banned women from participating in Eid gatherings in two districts in Afghanistan ahead of widespread celebrations expected in the country to mark the end of Ramadan.

Two similar notices showed local Taliban leaders in northern Baghlan district and the northeastern district of Takhar said “it is forbidden for women to go out in groups during the days of Eid ul-Fitr” on Friday.

The orders are not applicable across Afghanistan, but only in the two districts.

This comes just weeks after the Taliban’s latest set of restrictions have banned families and women from visiting restaurants with gardens or green spaces in Afghanistan’s northwestern Herat province.

An official said the order banned women from visiting restaurants with gardens after complaints from religious scholars and members of the public who were against mixing of genders in such spaces.

Arpan Rai reports:

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:

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.

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.”