Muslims across Ethiopia Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

ADDIS ABABA –  Eid Al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, celebrated across Ethiopia on Monday.

Many Muslims observed the 1443rd Eid al-Fitr with stadiums and mosques packed for prayers early in the morning.

In the Capital, tens of thousands of worshipers turned out to the prayer held at the Addis Ababa Stadium as part of the nationwide celebrations. 

Religious fathers and leaders including President of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Grand Mufti Haji Omar Idris, and several dignitaries participated in the mass prayer.

The celebration, however, was marred by a brief violence that broke out near Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum in the morning. No casualties were reported.

Police blamed “a few individuals with ulterior motives” and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation. 

Authorities later said the prayer ended without further incident and worshipers who attended the prayer at Addis Ababa stadium returned to their home peacefully.

Elsewhere, the holiday was observed with mass Eid prayers especially in major cities including Jigjiga, Assosa, Gambella, Semera, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Nekemt, Dire Dawa and Harar. 

In most parts of the country, the Salat al-Eid prayers were performed colorfully and concluded in a peaceful manner, said the government Communication Services.

Featured Image Caption: Eid al-Fitr prayers was also performed in the capital of Somali regional state, Jigjiga on Monday morning [Photo SRSCB]