Over 200,000 people attend Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Moscow
MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - More than 200,000 Muslims took part in Moscow-based celebrations of the Eid al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram) holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy Islamic month of fasting, the press service of the Russian Interior Ministry's Moscow branch told Interfax on Tuesday.
"The festivities, which were held in seven venues, were attended by 214,000 people. Most of the citizens - 90,000 people - gathered in Vypolzov Pereulok," the press service said.
No public order offences were recorded during the celebrations, it said.
Uraza Bayram (Eid al-Fitr in Arabic) marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims. As Islam teaches, it was during the holy month of Ramadan that Allah revealed the Holy Quran to people.
The Eid al-Fitr festivities continue for three days, during which Muslims visit mosques and read the Quran. Muslims also have a feast, relatives and friends visit each other and exchange presents. There is also a tradition of helping the poor so that each person can celebrate the holiday.
Muslims also believe that during Eid al-Fitr it is important for all relatives to gather in one place because it is believed the souls of deceased family members visit their home during the holiday. In addition to this, each Muslim sees visiting his ancestors' graves during these days as his duty.