Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Cities All Around Russia

On Thursday, Russia’s Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

In Kazan, celebrations were held in 57 mosques. Photo: Qolsharif Mosque.

The Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, or Uraza Bairam, as it is known in Russia, is a public holiday in the republics of the North Caucasus. Authorities in Russia’s North Caucasus republics of Chechnya and Dagestan declared Friday a public holiday too.
Photo: Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in the capital of Chechnya, Grozny.

Celebrations in St. Petersburg are being held in two mosques and one prayer room.

Up to 100,000 people took part in the celebrations in St. Petersburg.

Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important Muslim holidays. It is celebrated on the first day of the new lunar month after Ramadan and lasts three days.

Crowds of believers gathered at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque on Thursday morning to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

By early morning, worshippers had filled the temporary prayer hall and all the adjacent premises of the mosque.

Many Muslims were forced to perform the holiday prayer rituals outside.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, which this year lasted from July 9 to August 8.

During Eid al-Fitr it is customary to do good deeds, care for others and show compassion for those in need.