Photos: Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan’s end

Muslims receive food after Eid al-Fitr prayers which mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a gym in Mexico City, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. According to the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, today there are approximately 110,000 Muslims living in Mexico. (AP Photo/Nick Wagner)

A boy stands up after Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Mexico City, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. According to the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, today there are approximately 110,000 Muslims living in Mexico. (AP Photo/Nick Wagner)

Indonesian Muslim women looks at balloons after an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

An Indonesian Muslim man arrive on a boat for an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Indonesian Muslims arrive on boats for an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Indonesian Muslim men perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

An Indonesian Muslim man uses his mobile phone as he prepares for an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Indonesian Muslim perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Indonesian Muslim arrive for an Eid al-Fitr prayer to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Muslim women attend an Eid al-Fitr prayer, with a balloon of cartoon character "Hello Kitty" floating, to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016.(AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) — Muslim women attend an Eid al-Fitr prayer, with a balloon of cartoon character “Hello Kitty” floating, to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Muslim women perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016.(AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) — Muslim women perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

A Muslim girl looks out after morning prayer for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

AP Photo/Vincent Thian

Muslims take their selfie photograph as they gather for prayer to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan known as Eid al Fitr, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. The Eid, one of the most important holidays in the Muslim world, is celebrated with prayers, picnics and family reunions. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Muslims pray in a public park to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, known as Eid al Fitr, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. The Eid, one of the most important holidays in the Muslim world, is celebrated with prayers, picnics and family reunions. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

Muslims greet each other as they gather for prayer to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan known as Eid al Fitr, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. The Eid, one of the most important holidays in the Muslim world, is celebrated with prayers, picnics and family reunions. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A girl carries a Quran during Eid al-Fitr prayers along the Mekong river of Tanong, northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations mark the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Muslims march during Eid al-Fitr prayers along the Mekong river of Tanong, northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations mark the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

AP Photo/Heng Sinith

A Chinese Muslim man waits for Eid al-Fitr prayers to begin at the Niujie mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations mark the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Muslim residents attend Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Niujie mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations mark the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Muslims wait for Eid al-Fitr prayers to begin at the Niujie mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations mark the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Muslim girls attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/ Sayyid Abdul Azim)

A Kenyan Muslim girl attends the Eid al-Fitr prayers outdoors as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/ Sayyid Abdul Azim)

Kenyan Muslim boys join in prayers during the Eid al-Fitr on the open ground as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/ Sayyid Abdul Azim)

Nigeria Muslim chiefs attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) — Nigerian Muslim chiefs attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Nigeria Muslims attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) — Nigerian Muslims attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

A Yemen girl displays her hands painted with henna as she attends Eid al-Fitr prayers that mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

AP Photo/Hani Mohammed

Afghans hug each other after offering Eid al-Fitr prayers outside of Shah-e-Dushamshera mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The three-day holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

Egyptians try to catch balloons distributed for free after Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

AP Photo/Amr Nabil

Women gather for an Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

Palestinian Muslim women take their selfie photograph as they attend the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

Iranian women attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A Pakistani woman prays during Eid al-Fitr prayers at the historical Badshahi mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

Pakistani youth react while enjoying a ride at a fair to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holidays in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy Islamic month of Ramadan, during which devout Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Yemeni boys play with sparklers as they celebrate for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr festival, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, July 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

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BEIRUT (AP) — Muslims around the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, a time for family and feasting, to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and its daytime fasting.

Businesses closed across the Muslim world, as people dressed up and visited relatives, enjoying their first daytime meals in a lunar month. Mosques hold special prayers at sunrise, and children are often given gifts or a special allowance.

The holiday lasts one to three days, and is eagerly anticipated after the month of fasting. During Ramadan, the faithful refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or sexual activity from dawn to dusk, with even a small sip of water enough to invalidate the fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

For the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is second only to Eid al-Adha, which comes around two months later.

Ordinarily a festive occasion, this year’s Eid comes after a month of attacks by Islamic extremists that killed more than 350 people in several countries, including a suicide truck bomb in Iraq that claimed at least 175 lives and a suicide bombing outside the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Wars are raging in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen, as tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran exacerbate political conflicts throughout the Middle East. The two powers have cast their rivalry in corrosive sectarian terms, with Saudi Arabia positioning itself as the champion of Islam’s more numerous Sunnis and Iran claiming to lead the faith’s minority Shiites.

In the disputed Kashmir region on Wednesday, Muslim protesters hurled stones at Indian police, who fired tear gas and pellets to disperse them.

Here is a selection of Eid al-Fitr photos from around the world.

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Photos: Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan’s end

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Photos: Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan’s end

Share This Gallery:

Related News

Gallery: Lunar eclipse coinciding with supermoon dazzles

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