See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world

From beachside prayers in Senegal to colorful festivals in Pakistan, these pictures show the many ways that Muslims observe the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Muslims gather to offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India. Eid al-Fitr marks a joyful end to Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting and prayer. The three-day festival is celebrated in many different ways across the world.
Photograph by Javed Dar, Xinhua/Getty Images
ByGulnaz Khan
March 25, 2024

When the sun sets on April 9, Muslims around the world will look skyward for a crescent of pale white light—the conclusion to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan emblazoned in the night sky.

Beginning and ending with the new moon, Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Arabic lunar calendar. It is believed by Muslims to be when the first verses of the Koran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad more than a millennium ago. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and vices like gossip and lying. Not only is it meant to be a period of self-reflection, but to serve as a reminder to be charitable to the less fortunate.

(Five unique ways Ramadan is celebrated around the world.)

Eid al-Fitr, Arabic for “festival of breaking fast," is celebrated over three days at the end of Ramadan through prayer, feasts, parades, gifts, and charitable giving. Here's a look at how it is celebrated around the world.

people sitting before performing the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Dakar, Senegal
DAKAR, SENEGALSenegalese Muslims are seen before they perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in the backyard and adjacent beach of the Mausoleum Seydina Limamou in Dakar, Senegal, on July 18, 2015. Prayer is an important part of Eid celebrations, and is typically performed in the morning along with other community members in an open space such as this one.
Photograph by Cemil Oksuz, Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
muslims lighting incense after Eid al-Fitr prayer in Beijing, China
Beijing, ChinaChinese Hui Muslim men light incense after Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque on July 6, 2016, in Beijing. Of an estimated 23 million Muslims in China, nearly half are Hui, who are ethnically Chinese and speak Mandarin. China's constitution provides for Islam as one of five "approved" religions in the officially atheist country, although the government enforces severe limits. Worship is permitted only at state-sanctioned mosques and proselytizing in public is illegal. During Ramadan, Hui Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
Photograph by Kevin Frayer, Getty Images
Women in blue, green and black full length dresses and head scarves descend stone stairs.
West Java, IndonesiaIndonesian Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers along the banks of the river Cisadane in Bogor, West Java, on May 2, 2022. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world with an estimated 205 million adherents—or roughly 88 percent of its population.
Photograph by Adriana Adie, NurPhoto/Getty Images
a crowded beach flood plane with two camels and multiple women riding on top f them on seats draped with colorful cloths.
Karachi, PakistanPeople enjoy camel riding during an Eid al-Fitr festival in Karachi, Pakistan, on May 5, 2022. In Pakistan, Eid is an important time for families and friends to get together to celebrate the end of the fast—and greet each other with a traditional, "Eid Mubarak."
Photograph by Str, Xinhua/Getty Images
Photo of two women on wooden bridge in lush garden
London, EnglandTwo ladies, both named Fatima, take a walk through Regent's Park in London to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The number of Muslims in England and Wales has gone up from 2.7 million in 2011 to 3.9 million in 2021​. ​London hosts an annual festival ​in Trafalgar Square to ​mark the end of Ramadan.
Photograph by Elliott Franks, eyevine/Redux
Lebanese whirling dervishes performing in Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut, LebanonLebanese whirling dervishes perform during the holy month of Ramadan in the capital Beirut's Verdun Street on June 8, 2017. The ritual of whirling dervishes is observed by Sufi Muslims in honor of the 13th century poet Rumi. Though commonly associated with Turkey, NPR notes that there "are now many Sufi dervish orders around the world."
Photograph by ANWAR AMRO, AFP/Getty Images
Photo of girl wearing sunglasses playing in bouncy house
Los Angeles, United StatesChildren in south Los Angeles celebrate Eid al-Fitr. An estimated three to four million American Muslims from a diverse swath of races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds represent a growing minority in the U.S.
Photograph by Lynsey Addario, NG Image Collection
an Afghan circus performer at a fair during Eid al-Fitr in Jalalabad, Afghanistan
Jalalabad, AfghanistanAn Afghan circus performer rides a motorcycle on the so-called "Wall of Death" at a fair on the second day of Eid al-Fitr in Jalalabad on August 9, 2013. ​
Photograph by Noorullah Shirzada, AFP/Getty Images
muslims gathered to offer prayers for Eid al-Fitr in Moscow Russia
Moscow, RussiaMuslims gather to offer prayers at the central mosque in Moscow on July 5, 2016. The city is home to about a million Muslims—and the Moscow Times reports that there's limited space at the Cathedral Mosque "so worshippers often spill out onto the surrounding streets."
Photograph by ALEXANDER UTKIN, AFP/Getty Images
a man spinning sparkling wire during Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza
Gaza City, Palestinian TerritoriesA Palestinian performer amuses onlookers with a wire which ignites sparks on the top of debris in front of Gaza City's Italian Tower, on June 22, 2015.
Photograph by Ali Hassan, Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Editor's note: This story was originally published on June 21, 2017. It has been updated.

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