MOSCOW: Thousands of worshippers gathered at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque on Friday to offer Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan amid a vibrant display of faith and unity.
Men, women, and children filled the mosque and surrounding areas in large numbers early in the morning, reflecting the growing presence and diversity of the Muslim community in Russia.
The congregation listened to sermons, offered prayers, and exchanged greetings to celebrate the festival.
Authorities had made arrangements to facilitate the large turnout, with security and crowd management measures in place to ensure smooth proceedings. The mosque, one of Europe’s largest, has traditionally hosted massive Eid gatherings each year, drawing worshippers not only from Moscow but also from neighboring regions.
Eid al-Fitr, one of the most significant festivals in Islam, marks the conclusion of a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The occasion is widely celebrated with communal prayers, charity, and social gatherings.
Similar scenes were witnessed across the world, as Muslims gathered in mosques and open spaces from the Middle East to Europe, Africa, and Asia to celebrate the festival.
In Russia, Eid celebrations underscore the country’s multicultural and multi-religious fabric, with millions of Muslims observing the festival annually.
The event concluded with worshippers exchanging greetings and extending charitable support to those in need, in keeping with the spirit of Eid.
