Eid al-Fitr celebrations have begun for thousands of Muslims across the UK and around the world, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Many UK Muslims rely on moon sightings from Morocco or Saudi Arabia to determine the start of the festival. Experts in both countries declared earlier this week that Eid would begin on March 20, although some communities, such as those in Pakistan, will start celebrations on Saturday.
In Birmingham, worshippers gathered at Small Heath Park for Eid prayers, with similar scenes in Moscow, Baghdad, and Dubai. The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman performed Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, while fire services in the UK shared messages of goodwill, noting they had participated in a ‘Share Ramadan’ event.
UK MP Zarah Sultana used the occasion to express solidarity with oppressed communities, posting on X: “This Eid, my duas are with those resisting oppression and enduring injustice… May Allah grant justice to the oppressed.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing war with Russia.
Football star Cristiano Ronaldo also extended wishes, and the Dubai media office posted a celebratory message. The festival, based on the lunar calendar, means Muslims experience Ramadan in different seasons over the years.
