Celebrating Eid around the world

MUSLIMS across the world celebrated the end of the month-long fast yesterday, which signals the start of Shawwal, or the ninth month, in the Muslim calendar.

In the Bo Kaap, families gathered and prepared for joyous feasting as the holy month of Ramadan culminated with the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

Aziza Schroeder, 59, who has lived in the Bo Kaap for almost 30 years, said the day brought together families and neighbours of all faiths.

“We are a tightly-knit community and we come together to share this day. We start our day with prayer. Some of us start preparing our meals two days before, as we never really know how many people might come through our doors,” said Schroeder.

The family was preparing to attend the funeral of Bo Kaap and Western Province legend, Achmat Isaacs, who had been a pillar of the community said Schroeder.

Neighbour Soraya de Bruyns, and her grandchildren Nasiraah Allie, 7, and Mogammad Allie, 6, visited Schroeder as they went from neighbour to neighbour, wishing each Eid Mubarak.

She said it was a tradition practised by their parents to share their Eid blessings, and they were proud to continue the tradition and carry it into the next generation.

Kensington residents Maajidah Isaacsand Zahrah Dulviewere visiting family in the Bo Kaap, and showed off their beautiful Eid wear, which they said was also part of the tradition of celebration.

Isaacs said part of celebrating the day was by finding clothing that was both beautiful and in line with honouring and respecting Muslim traditions.

Pictures: REUTERS BRIGHT AND COLOURFUL: Women and children attend an Eid ul-Fitr mass prayer at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Egyptians celebrate and try to catch balloons released after the prayers that brought Ramadaan to a close, at a public park, outside...

Picture: HENK KRUGER/ANA PICTURES SAY CHEESE: Abdulrahman Khalaf, who is from Palestine, takes a selfie with friends outside the Mosque Shafee in Chiappini street in the Bo Kaap. Millions of Muslims around the world are celebrating the Eid ul-Fitr festival, which marks the end of...

Picture: HENK KRUGER/ANA PICTURESE FAMILY TIES: The Dramat family opened their house for the Cape Times on Eid. From left are: Ridewaan Dramat, 63; Noor Ajan, 58; ladies in front of them Faieeza Saieed, 65; Margaret Damascio, 82; Musmuna Dramat, 57; Naeels Damascio, 5; and Yusuf Saieed,...

Picture: REUTERS FUN: Children make the most of the festivities in Mosul, Iraq, yesterday.

Picture: REUTERS CELEBRATIONS: Displaced Iraqi girls, who fled their homes owing to fighting in the country, show off their henna-painted hands as they celebrate in Mosul, Iraq.

Pictures: REUTERS BROTHERHOOD: Children, in Mumbai, India, greet after offering the prayers that marked Ramadaan’s end.

Picture: REUTERS A HELPING HAND: A man guides a child through the door of the prayer hall during celebrations at the historic Niujie mosque in Beijing, China, yesterday.