Muslims celebrate Eid, ending Ramadan holy month

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri

KABUL (Reuters) - Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid-al-Fitr religious holiday on Tuesday, marking the end of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.

Like the start of Ramadan, during which believers abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, Eid-al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the moon and its celebration varies in different countries. The day begins with early morning prayers and then family visits and feasts.

In the Afghan capital Kabul, families celebrated with a stroll in a central park, and children played on a carousel.

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, near the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, Russia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

"We came here to celebrate Eid because this day is for happiness and all the people want to see happiness. The Afghan people hope to have peace in the country," said Abdul Raziq, a resident of the city.

Elsewhere, thousands of Muslims living in Moscow gathered in and outside the city's grand mosque to pray. Security was high and mounted police patrolled the streets.

The Moscow Cathedral Mosque, which has capacity for 10,000 people, was packed with worshippers, many of whom hail originally from Central Asia.

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Moscow, Russia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

After Orthodox Christianity, Islam is the second biggest religion in Russia.

"We came to pray and the place is not important. The only place we need is a place to put a rug, to pray to God, to take part in this holiday - this is the most important," said Sivush Veriyev.

Thousands of faithful packed stadiums in Addis Ababa and Mogadishu and there were also mass prayers in the Nigerian capital Abuja as well as Juba in South Sudan.

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Juba, South Sudan June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Samir Bol

In Bangladesh, thousands of people have been scrambling to Dhaka's ferry terminals and stations, packing trains heading out of the city to return to their hometowns for Eid.

In Turkey, President Tayyip Erdogan prayed at Istanbul's huge new Camlica mosque, which he formally inaugurated last month.

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Moscow, Russia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

(Writing by Alexandra Hudson)

Members of Russia's National Guard line up as Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Moscow, Russia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

People take part in morning prayers to celebrate the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Kabul, Afghanistan June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Mogadishu, Somalia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, near the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, Russia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Mogadishu, Somalia June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with mass prayers marking the end of Ramadan in Abuja, Nigeria June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with mass prayers marking the end of Ramadan in Abuja, Nigeria June 4, 2019 REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde