Skip to content

Eid 2021: Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan

Muslim worshippers around the world are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr, commonly known as Eid, to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Khaled Desouki / AFP An aerial view of three Muslim worshippers attending Eid al-Fitr prayer at al-Azhar mosque in the Egyptian capital CairoKhaled Desouki / AFP
Muslim worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayer at al-Azhar mosque in the Egyptian capital Cairo

Many Muslims will be attending Eid prayers at their mosque, early on 13 May.

Khaled Desouki / AFP A worshipper from Afghanistan takes pictures during Eid al-Fitr prayers at al-Azhar mosque in CairoKhaled Desouki / AFP
A worshipper from Afghanistan takes pictures during Eid al-Fitr prayers at al-Azhar mosque in Cairo

Believers will also enjoy large meals with friends and family, and exchange money and gifts - in many countries, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday.

Khaled Desouki / AFP Children look at toys in the street following Eid al-Fitr prayers in CairoKhaled Desouki / AFP
Children look at toys following Eid al-Fitr prayers in Cairo

The name "Eid al-Fitr" translates as "the festival of the breaking of the fast".

Believers taking part in Ramadan haven't been eating or drinking during daylight hours, believing it will bring them closer to God.

As well as fasting, Ramadan is a time when Muslims are encouraged to give to charity, strengthen their relationship with God, and show kindness and patience.

Like the beginning of Ramadan, Eid begins with the first sighting of the new moon.

This year, many worshippers have had to mark Ramadan and Eid amid Covid restrictions.

Here are pictures from around the world showing Eid prayers and celebrations.

Muhammed Enes Yildirim / Getty Images A drone photo shows an aerial view of the Fatih Mosque as hundreds of people gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Istanbul, TurkeyMuhammed Enes Yildirim / Getty Images
A drone photo shows an aerial view of the Fatih Mosque as people gathered to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Istanbul, Turkey (above and below)
Muhammed Enes Yildirim / Getty Images A drone photo shows an aerial view of the Fatih Mosque as hundreds of people gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Istanbul, TurkeyMuhammed Enes Yildirim / Getty Images
Serhat Cagdas / Getty Images An aerial view of people performing Eid al-Fitr prayer with masks and social distancing at the Grand Camlica Mosque in Istanbul, TurkeySerhat Cagdas / Getty Images
People perform Eid al-Fitr prayer with masks and social distancing at the Grand Camlica Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Ahmet Bolat / Getty Images Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas speaks at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, TurkeyAhmet Bolat / Getty Images
Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas gives a speech during an Islamic mass prayer ritual after performing Eid al-Fitr prayer at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Majdi Fathi / Getty Images Muslim men perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer with destroyed buildings behind them in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza StripMajdi Fathi / Getty Images
In Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian Muslims perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer amid destroyed buildings following Israeli airstrikes (above and below)
Majdi Fathi / Getty Images Muslim men perform the morning Eid Al-Fitr prayer with destroyed buildings behind them in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza StripMajdi Fathi / Getty Images
Ahmad Gharabli / AFP A Palestinian youth performs a jump outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old CityAhmad Gharabli / AFP
A Palestinian youth performs a jump outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City
Jacob King / PA Media A child prayers with her family at Green Lane Mosque in BirminghamJacob King / PA Media
Worshippers at Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham, UK, take part in Eid al-Fitr prayers
Robin Utrecht / EPA Muslims gather at the Mevlana Mosque in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to take part in Eid prayersRobin Utrecht / EPA
Muslims gather at the Mevlana Mosque in Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Armend Nimani / AFP A young boy looks on as he takes part in Eid prayers in Pristina, KosovoArmend Nimani / AFP
In Pristina, Kosovo, worshippers attended the Grand Mosque
Arshad Arbab / EPA Children ride a swing during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Peshawar, PakistanArshad Arbab / EPA
Children enjoy riding a swing during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Peshawar, Pakistan
Asif Hassan / AFP A child points to a balloon whilst sitting on a motorbike with an adultAsif Hassan / AFP
A child points out a balloon after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karachi, Pakistan
Monicah Mwangi / Reuters Two young women pose for a photo after performing the Eid prayers at the Masjid Noor Mosque in Nairobi, KenyaMonicah Mwangi / Reuters
Worshippers pose for a photo after performing Eid prayers at the Masjid Noor Mosque in Nairobi, Kenya
Pius Utomi Ekpei / AFP Muslims pray next to a petrol station in Kara Isheri in Ogun State, southwest NigeriaPius Utomi Ekpei / AFP
Muslims pray in Kara Isheri in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria
Ezra Acayan / Getty Images An aerial view of Muslims eating a meal together to celebrate Eid in the Garden Mosque in Taguig, Metro Manila, PhilippinesEzra Acayan / Getty Images
Filipino Muslims eat a meal together as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Garden Mosque in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines (above and below)
Ezra Acayan / Getty Images Muslims wear face masks as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Garden Mosque in Taguig, Metro Manila, PhilippinesEzra Acayan / Getty Images
Karim Sahib / AFP Worshippers perform the Eid al-Fitr morning prayer with a sunrise behind them at Dubai's Eid Musalla in the Gulf emirate's old port areaKarim Sahib / AFP
Worshippers perform the Eid al-Fitr morning prayer at Dubai's Eid Musalla in the Gulf emirate's old port area
Karim Sahib / AFP A family walk past a white wall with the skyline of Dubai in the backgroundKarim Sahib / AFP
A family walk past Dubai's Eid Musalla mosque after attending the Eid al-Fitr morning prayer
Murtadha Al-Sudani / Getty Images A view of Muslims wearing face masks as they pray at Abu Hanifa an-Numan Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq Murtadha Al-Sudani / Getty Images
In Baghdad, Iraq, Muslims wore face masks as they prayed at Abu Hanifa an-Numan Mosque
Rizqullah Hamiid / Getty Images A woman sprays hand sanitizer on to the hand of another woman before Eid al-Fitr prayers in Yogyakarta, IndonesiaRizqullah Hamiid / Getty Images
A woman sprays hand sanitizer before Eid al-Fitr prayers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Robertus Pudyanto / Getty Images A large group of Indonesian Muslims pray at Al-Mabrur mosque in Surabaya, IndonesiaRobertus Pudyanto / Getty Images
Indonesian Muslims pray at Al-Mabrur mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia (above and below)
Robertus Pudyanto / Getty Images A large group of Indonesian Muslims pray at Al-Mabrur mosque in Surabaya, IndonesiaRobertus Pudyanto / Getty Images

All pictures are subject to copyright.