Feelings are mixed as Muslims globally observe Eid al-Fitr

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Eid al-Fitr celebrations are beginning around the world, but the holiday brings mixed feelings for some Muslims.

, is one of the most significant celebrations on the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan.

Festivities involve prayer, charity, feasting and spending time with family, friends and the wider community.

But for many, Eid is also a sombre reminder of suffering in other parts of the world.

‘May God have mercy on their situation’

In Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, Muhammad Samer said he is praying for an end to the suffering of the Palestinians.

“My best wishes for the people of Palestine. I pray that this Eid brings them good fortune and happiness. Muslims in Gaza are facing a lot of injustice. May God have mercy on their situation,” he said.

In Qatar, thousands of worshippers gathered at a football stadium to attend Eid al-Fitr prayers.

Qatari resident Ibrahim Khalil Khan said he hopes Muslims around the world are blessed with peace.

“The festival of Eid is very beautiful. We always pray that such a beautiful experience and such a livelihood and brotherhood should prevail all across the world,” he said.

“Especially for the brothers and sisters of Palestine, Syria, Sudan, India and wherever people are in trouble. We all pray to God that they all be blessed with faith, peace and blessing all across the world.”

A group of Muslims praying outside in a city

This Eid and Ramadan have brough both joy and sadness for many Muslims. Source: AAP / Yousef Masoud / SOPA Images / Sipa USA

‘Whatever hurts them, hurts us too’

At Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound, nearly 120,000 worshipers attended prayers on Sunday, according to site officials.

In Gaza, mean many have little to celebrate.

A wide shot showing thousans of people gathered outside a mosque

Over 100,000 Muslims attended prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Fitr. Source: AAP / Mahmoud Illean/AP

In Jabalia, Inshirah Hanouneh is spending the first day of Eid al-Fitr visiting her brother’s grave.

“I came to visit my brother on the first day of the happy Eid al-Fitr. It is happy for people, but not for me. It is not happy, it is not Eid,” she said.

“God imposed it on us, what can we do? The memory of my brother is in my heart every day, he did not leave my memory for a second since 17 December.”

Two youths sit at a cemetary facing away from the camera

Many Palestinians in Gaza visited the graves of their relatives on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Source: AAP / Haitham Imad / EPA

Back in Australia, the Muslim community in Sydney also gathered for prayers and celebrations at the Omar Mosque in Auburn.

Sheikh Ahmed Kasem, Imam of Omar Mosque in Western Sydney, said Eid al-Fitr is about the community coming together.

“So where Muslim community, members of the Muslim community come together to share meals, exchange gifts, strengthen bonds with the loved ones. Today is a spiritual renewal and community unity.”

While there is a lot of joy in the community, it is impossible not to feel the suffering of those in Gaza, he said.

“The current situation in Gaza is still going on, and the children of Gaza are still suffering and will feel for them. Whatever hurts them, hurts us too,” he said.

Eid in Africa

In Nigeria, 19-year-old Aisha Sanni said she has mixed feelings following the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

“I feel so much happy, but at the same time, I feel so much sad because there are so many goodness in Ramadan, so many blessings,” she said.

“You can’t even count the blessings Allah has sent in this holy month of Ramadan, I feel so sad this is going because no matter what you beg for in this holy month of Ramadan, Allah is always there to answer your prayers for you.”

Because of intensifying violence in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, many Muslims have modified their religious customs — such as shifting to earlier prayer times.