Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Fitr

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-01-2008 11:04

Millions of Muslims around the world have begun celebrations for Eid al-Fitr a three-day festival to mark the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan.

Pakistani Muslims pray during a Eid-al-Fitr in Karachi  October 1, 2008. The Eid al-Fitr festival marks the  end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN)

In Mecca - Islam's holiest site - thousands of worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque. In Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai made his traditional Eid address to the nation to celebrate the holiday.

Meanwhile in Iraq, residents of Baghdad went to prayers in the Sunni Abu Hanifa mosque.

Palestinians also celebrated the first day of Eid. President Mahmoud Abbas used his traditional address to express hope for successful peace talks with Israel in the coming year.

In Jerusalem, thousands of Muslims flocked to the Al Aqsa compound for early morning prayers. The Eid holiday begins on the first day of the month of Shawal, the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar.