ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayer here at Faisal Mosque on Monday and prayed for peace and harmony in the country as well as for the progress and prosperity of people.

 After the Eid prayer, the President mixed up with the people and exchanged Eid greetings.

 The President, in the wake of tragic oil tanker fire incident in Ahmadpur Sharqia, has decided to observe this Eid-ul-Fitr with simplicity and there will be no Open House at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

 He has also appealed the nation to observe Eid with simplicity to express solidarity with the families, affected by the Ahmadpur Sharqia tragedy.</s>The end of Ramadan is here, which means Muslims all over the globe will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a religious festival that typically lasts three days in most Muslim countries.

REUTERS/Edgar SuMuslims wait to perform tarawih prayers to mark the start of Ramadan at a mosque in Singapore.

Ramadan commenced at sundown on May 26 in the United States. It is a month-long practice where Muslims observe fasting and self-reflection. During this time, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset to allow for deeper spiritual meditation, prayer and the study of the Quran. It is a time to strengthen their relationships with their god.

Muslims also observe Ramadan in remembrance of the month the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

This year, Ramadan concludes at sundown of June 24 in the United States. The dates it is observed change every year because it abides by the lunar calendar. The ending of Ramadan is greeted with Eid al-Fitr, which translates to the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast."

Eid al-Fitr spans three days, all of which are usually public holidays in most Muslim countries. However, the same cannot be said for the United States, though time off for Muslims are usually allowed by several schools and employers. Most Muslims residing in the United States will celebrate on Sunday.

And while Ramadan is a time for prayer and devotion, attacks by the Islamic State have increased during the sacred month.

"Extremists like the Islamic State turn the spirituality of Ramadan upside down and deploy it as weapon of choice against real and imagined enemies," the author of "ISIS: A History" and London School of Economics professor Fawaz Gerges said (via Los Angeles Times). "They claim that the Islamic community face an existential threat and say that the fate of the Islamic community rests on their individual effort."

Regardless, Eid al-Fitr is a celebration and a chance to spend time with family and friends. Gifts are exchanged, and Muslims convene at mosques to carry out Eid Prayer.</s>Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday, state media reported, in a rare trip outside Damascus and what seemed to be his first visit there since Syria's war began in 2011.

BEIRUT: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday in a rare trip outside Damascus and his first declared one to Hama since the war began.

The visit appeared to be the furthest he has travelled inside Syria since fighting started in 2011, a sign of growing confidence after army gains aided by Russian air strikes.

State television broadcast footage of Assad standing to pray in a large mosque in Hama behind its imam, with other clerics standing with him and a large crowd of worshippers.

State news agency SANA quoted the preacher as saying that Assad's presence in the city for Eid showed that victory and the return of security were only "a few steps" away.

Rebels seeking to oust Assad have reached to within a few kilometres of the northern city of Hama as recently as March, before the army and its allies pushed them back.

Last year, he delivered Eid prayers in Homs, about 40 km (25 miles) closer to Damascus. He has not visited Aleppo since the army drove out rebels in December in Assad's biggest victory of the war.</s>Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday, state media reported, in a rare trip outside Damascus and what seemed to be his first visit there since Syria's war began in 2011.

BEIRUT: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday in a rare trip outside Damascus and his first declared one to Hama since the war began.

The visit appeared to be the furthest he has travelled inside Syria since fighting started in 2011, a sign of growing confidence after army gains aided by Russian air strikes.

State television broadcast footage of Assad standing to pray in a large mosque in Hama behind its imam, with other clerics standing with him and a large crowd of worshippers.

State news agency SANA quoted the preacher as saying that Assad's presence in the city for Eid showed that victory and the return of security were only "a few steps" away.

Rebels seeking to oust Assad have reached to within a few kilometres of the northern city of Hama as recently as March, before the army and its allies pushed them back.

Last year, he delivered Eid prayers in Homs, about 40 km (25 miles) closer to Damascus. He has not visited Aleppo since the army drove out rebels in December in Assad's biggest victory of the war.</s>Filled with simplicity and love, Eid celebrations in rural Pakistan is quite different from the urban areas.

There is no concept of Chaand Raat parties or shopping among villagers. Rather male members go to bed as early as possible because they have long list of engagements for Eid day. However, mostly rural women prepare traditional dish kher during the night to serve it on Eid morning. Seviyan (vermicelli) especially hand-made seviyan and sweet rice (zarda) are also prepared in early morning as both dishes take short time to cook as compared to kher.

The entire family awakes early morning to offer Fajr prayer. Male members then go to their farms to milk their buffalos and cows and prepare fodder for their animals. On reaching home, they rush to village chowk to buy meat from butcher shops.

Meanwhile, children take shower, wear new clothes and shoes and start demanding Eidi from their parents and grandparents. No doubt, their happiness and enthusiasm cannot be measured on the blessed day as most of them had fasted during the holy month. The child whose days of fasting are more than others would get maximum prize in shape of Eidi from their parents.

Entire family then gathers in kitchen and is served with sweet dishes. Now it is around 8 am. Male members along with their children go to Eidgah which is mostly a school ground or any other open place where Eid prayers are offered. It was a common culture till late 80s that entire village used to offer prayer at a single place but then the curse of sectarianism spread in rural areas. Division of Brelvi, Deobandi, Wahabi and Shia divided the prayer places. So they now gather at separate places. However, the Eid prayer is still offered in unity in many villages. It takes around two hours to the faithful in Eidgah as they have to hear Imam’s sermon before offering prayer in his leadership. But before leaving the ground they have to collect money for their Imam, local mosque and the seminary. A competition can be seen among the villagers when they give money to imam and mosque. The more you announce, the more you get respect and feel proud. People also give money to local barber, shoemakers, blacksmiths and other working community as a sign of respect and love to them.

The community fulfil villagers’ needs free of cost during the entire years so Eid day is their day to collect the reward. Since majority of village youth work in army, bakeries and factories. It is time of homecoming for them and come to their village on Eid with great hope and with their pockets full of money so they may share the joys of Eid with the poor.

It is end of the Eid’s prayer. People embrace each other, share good wills and congratulations. Many of them then go to graveyard to offer prayers for their loved ones who now rest in peace.

Women meanwhile get ready and offer prayer in local mosque or in shape of groups at some houses. The entire families again gather in their homes at around 11 am and say Eid Mubarik to each other. Women then start preparing lunch and male members get united in chowk which presents a beautiful look. It is like a city chowk with hot jalibi and other sweet items being prepared at different points. The ambience of the sight, sound and aroma of food items is very unique that you cannot experience in cities.

Villagers share laughs, buy sweets and make the plan for remaining time. As friends who work in cities gather after long time, they tell their different stories to each other. It is now lunch time. Friends invite each other to their homes to eat together.

Now comes afternoon. The most enthusiastic part of the Eid day. Villagers often hold horse and bull-cart races. Dog fights, hound dog race, kabbadi competitions are also take place. (Although dog fight is banned under law, villagers arrange it in compliance with local police). Riding on bicycles, bikes, tractors and horses along with drum beaters, they go to the mela sites. A fight among the villagers cannot be ruled out at competition sites. However, the elders rush to reconcile if situation becomes tense.

There are bets, there are prizes for winners. You won the horse or dog race or other competition from the next village, you come home with pride and it doubles the Eid joy. If you lose you will have wait for the next Eid. n</s>ILIGAN CITY — Muslim and Christian evacuees from the strife-torn city of Marawi on Sunday celebrated Eid al-Fitr at the close of the holy fasting month of Ramadan with fried fish and roast calf, thanks to President Rodrigo Duterte, and roses from their Catholic friends.

As early as Saturday evening, Tarhata Mustari, 23, knew that meals for her three children at the evacuation center in Iligan School of Fisheries would not be the usual sardines and instant noodles.

“There was this slaughtered large cow that volunteers had brought in on Saturday evening. They said it would be roasted for the Eid feast,” Mustari said.

But Mustari said she had no idea that Christian evacuees had prepared something for her and the other Muslim evacuees.

Muslim women were in tears when they received the roses.

“That was so unexpected,” Mustari said. “Of course, I was emotional, I was deeply touched,” Nariman said.

Sarah Romapa, 49, of Barangay Marinaut, said she tightly hugged the Christian woman who gave her the rose.

Henry Zamora, 26, said Christian evacuees discussed what gifts they could give to the Muslims.

“We do not have money to buy them gifts so we thought of expressing our solidarity for the Eid through the simplest form — flowers,” Zamora said.

He said camp team leaders arranged for the purchase of flowers. “What we agreed among ourselves was to let our wives hand the flowers to the Muslim women after the Eid prayer,” Zamora said.

“This is also our way of showing them that despite what happened, we Christians are not angry with them. That we are all in this together. In fact, we share the same evacuation center, and most of the time, we eat together,” he added.

Together, the evacuees feasted on the food that was prepared for them — including fried fish and the roast calf, which was bought from the P91,000 that President Duterte had given during his visit last week.

“We’re happy because we still celebrated Eid. We’re sad though because we did it inside the evacuation center,” Mustari said.

She said she wished the war was over so they could return home. “That’s what I have been praying to Allah,” she said.

In other evacuation centers, emotions also ran high on Eid as Muslims listened to the “khutba” delivered by imams.

At the City Hall grounds here, where dozens of Maranaos attended the Eid prayer, people were seen weeping as Imam Maulana Mamotoc delivered his sermon.

Mamotoc called on the people of Marawi not to lose hope, adding that Allah would provide them the necessary things they needed once they returned home after the war.

In a statement marking the Eid celebration, President Duterte called for national unity even as the fighting entered its second month.

“Let us channel our energies toward fostering national unity — because dedicating our lives to the betterment of humanity is the best way to demonstrate our devotion to God,” he said.

“May this renewed sense of spiritual accomplishment give you the strength and courage to cultivate communities. In time when all odds seem stacked against us, it is our willpower and faith that will always see us through,” he added.

In press statements, senators called for unity among Muslim and Christian communities.

“After a month of fasting, introspection and quest of faith, let the occasion of Eid al-Fitr serve as a symbol of our collective pursuit [of] peace and unity, especially at this time when our solidarity as a nation is being put to test with the fighting in Marawi City,” Sen. Grace Poe said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said: “At this time, we hope people know and give importance to cooperation, respect for others and helping each other in a time when our unity as a nation is undergoing a big challenge.” —With reports from Philip C. Tubeza and Christine O. Avendaño in Manila</s>BEIRUT, June 25 (Reuters) - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday in a rare trip outside Damascus and his first declared one to Hama since the war began.

The visit appeared to be the furthest he has travelled inside Syria since fighting started in 2011, a sign of growing confidence after army gains aided by Russian air strikes.

State television broadcast footage of Assad standing to pray in a large mosque in Hama behind its imam, with other clerics standing with him and a large crowd of worshippers.

State news agency SANA quoted the preacher as saying that Assad's presence in the city for Eid showed that victory and the return of security were only "a few steps" away.

Rebels seeking to oust Assad have reached to within a few kilometres of the northern city of Hama as recently as March, before the army and its allies pushed them back.

Last year, he delivered Eid prayers in Homs, about 40 km (25 miles) closer to Damascus. He has not visited Aleppo since the army drove out rebels in December in Assad's biggest victory of the war. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Robert Birsel)</s>Syria’s more confident Assad gives Eid prayers in Hama

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday, the furthest he has traveled inside Syria in years, showing his growing confidence.

 Original Article</s>More than 3000 men, women and children attended the Eid prayers at the Al Mustafa Jamia Masjid, of the South Auckland Muslim Association located at 26 Mangere Road, Otahuhu at 830 am today.

The Prayers marked the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Month of Shawwal, leading up to the solemn months of piety and prayer.

Sergeant Gurpreet Arora and Constable Satvir Sen attended the Eid Prayers at SAMA representing the Counties Manukau Police and the South Asian Advisory Board, offering Eid Mubarak Greetings to SAMA President Ibrar Sheikh and the Muslim community.

“The Police received a warm welcome and our visit was highly appreciated by the members of the Muslim community,” Mr Arora said.

“Counties Manukau Police would like to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters all over New Zealand Eid Mubarak. May the magic of this Eid bring lots of happiness in your life and may you celebrate it with you all your close family and friends and may it fill your heart with wonders,” he added.

Following the Eid prayers at Mosques, men, women and children, donning new clothes, greeted each other and exchanged gifts and sweets.

It was also a day for offering food, clothing and alms to the poor as per the teachings and traditions of Islam.

The spirit of oneness and solidarity was evident as Non-Muslims joined in the celebrations, greetings their Muslim brothers and sisters.

According to the Holy Quran, a month of fasting from dawn to dusk and total abstinence from worldly pleasures purifies the body and soul.

It may have been a cold and overcast day in some parts of New Zealand but the depressing weather did not dampen the spirit of Eid Al Fitr.

“Let there be peace and May God keep you and your family happy and prosperous,” were the words that emanated from all of them, as if on a cue.

But then, such is the spirit of Islam that fraternal feelings transcend religious beliefs and vicissitudes. Social status and income levels hardly enter the equation and the mood is one of gaiety and fun.

As usual, family lunches and dinners would be among the activities that characterise the First Day of Eid. It is a matter of gratification that the growing Muslim population in New Zealand has adhered to the traditional values of Islam.

Eid-Al-Fitr may seem on the surface to be of religious significance to Muslims only but the Festival offers opportunities for people of different backgrounds to come together.

It symbolises understanding, tolerance and togetherness which are catalysts for peace and harmony.

More than 3000 Muslims offered their Eid Prayers at Al Mustafa Jamia Masjid this morning

Sergeant Gurpreet Arora and Constable Satvir Sen with SAMA President Ibrar Sheikh (left) and a member of the SAMA Committee at the Mosque</s>ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayer here at Faisal Mosque on Monday and prayed for peace and harmony in the country as well as for the progress and prosperity of people.

 After the Eid prayer, the President mixed up with the people and exchanged Eid greetings.

 The President, in the wake of tragic oil tanker fire incident in Ahmadpur Sharqia, has decided to observe this Eid-ul-Fitr with simplicity and there will be no Open House at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

 He has also appealed the nation to observe Eid with simplicity to express solidarity with the families, affected by the Ahmadpur Sharqia tragedy.
In the first declared visit to the town since the beginning of the war, President Bashar al-Assad attends the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Hama.