UPDATES WITH EID CELEBRATIONS IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
By Hassan Isilow
ISTANBUL (AA) – Millions of Muslims around the world marked Eid al-Fitr Wednesday, which celebrates the end of Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
While Turkey and Muslims in the Balkans region such as Albania marked the first day of the three-day festival a day earlier on Tuesday, several Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and others like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Malaysia began Eid Wednesday.
Hundreds of thousands of people said their special Eid prayers in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia Wednesday.
In Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Muslims flocked to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which for Muslims represents the world’s third holiest site. People prayed for an end to terrorist attacks targeting the Muslim world.
In Indonesia, millions disregarded the threat of terrorism to flock to fields and mosques in their best outfits early Wednesday, to attend Eid al-Fitr prayers across the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Afghanistan too marked Eid Wednesday, with thousands of people saying their prayers in Mazar-i-Sharif.
In remarks following the prayers, Afghan Governor Atta Muhammad Nur called for uniting against terrorism in the country and around the world.
Millions of Muslims across the African continent also celebrated Eidul-Fitr Wednesday.
In remarks made to thousands of worshippers gathered at a sports stadium in the capital Pretoria, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the local Muslim community for its contribution in the fight against apartheid.
“As we gather here today to celebrate Eid, this day reminds us of the important contribution done by the south African Muslim community in the struggle for our country’s freedom against apartheid,’’ he said.
There are around three million Muslims out of South Africa’s 55 million population.
In the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, thousands of Muslims dressed in colorful robes and thronged the old stadium in the city to say their Eid prayers.
Addis Ababa Islamic Affairs Supreme Council President Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh praised the Ethiopian government for providing freedom of worship in the country.
Muslims constitute about 35 percent of the Ethiopian population of about 100 million people.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also wished Muslims a blessed Eid. “Today, we not only wish you Eid Mubarak but we celebrate this day with you.”
In Senegal, a coalition of Muslim scholars, used their Eid sermons to preach against extremism and reinforced the importance of peace in Islam.
“We, the true Muslims, need to stand up and say no to the minority disbelievers who are bent on destroying the religion of Islam,” Sheikh Suleman Ndiaye of the Dieupel Islamic Community in Dakar said.
In Zambia, President Edgar Lungu called on Muslims to promote peace by living in harmony with others.
In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of “tolerance, piety, sacrifice, and love with one another.
“Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings.”
*Anadolu Agency Correspondents Magdalene Mukami from Nairobi, Francis Maingaila from Lusaka, Athumani Halima from Kampala and Alpha Kamara from Dakar contributed to this story.
