Iranians, other Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at end of Ramadan

Muslims in Iran and many other countries are celebrating Eid al-Fitr at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, after the new moon of the lunar month of Shawwal was sighted the previous night.

Naqareh drums were played at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Shia Imam, in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad on Saturday morning, and Muslim worshippers who had fasted for a month took part in Eid prayers there and across the country early in the morning of the occasion of the festive event, which marks the end of Ramadan – the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

In the capital, Tehran, people gathered at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla (Congregational Prayers Site) to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei led the prayers.

Ayatollah Khamenei calls on Iranians to maintain, preserve unity

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution called upon all walks of the Iranian society to maintain and preserve unity, and urged state officials to closely work hand in hand to resolve existing problems and shortcomings.

The Leader termed full cooperation among the heads of Iran’s three branches of power as an important and fundamental strategy, emphasizing that authorities must never get in each other’s way but would rather facilitate implementation of their plans.

He went on to describe this year’s holy month of Ramadan as more passionate and vivacious than ever, especially as a large number of Iranian youths kept vigil across the country to mark Laylat al-Qadr or the Nights of Destiny, when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

“One of the characteristics of Ramadan is strengthening the willpower. Among the great and important features of fasting is reinforcement of human will. Willpower is a trait that the God has incorporated in human beings in order to move ahead and progress. State officials should take up the available opportunity. It is through strengthening of the willpower that the country's major problems can be resolved,” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.

“The three branches of power should work to enhance empathy and synergy within each others. If they cooperate with one another, things would then not get entangled. The branches should not hamper each other, and would rather pave the way for each other,” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.

The Leader also urged Iranian officials not to get distracted by trivial matters, and focus mainly on how to overcome critical issues.

He called on the Iranian nation to preserve national unity, saying, “Enemy does not want such a unity to exist. Nowadays, the enemy’s strategy is anchored in deception, falsehood, lure, distortion of facts as well as humiliation of nations. The enemy is trying to make nations pessimistic about each other, and mask their capabilities.

More than a dozen Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, and Egypt, announced that Friday marks the beginning of the holy occasion.

Along with Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia as well as Iraq are celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday.

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

The occasion falls on the first day of the 10th lunar calendar month of Shawwal, the start of which varies based on the sighting of the new moon by local religious authorities.

Eid al-Fitr has a particular Salat (Islamic prayer) which is generally offered in an open field or a large hall with congregation in attendance.

Muslims believe that they are commanded by God, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat al-Fitr – a ritual offering – before offering the Eid prayers.

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