In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid coronavirus

24 May 2020

News image — Some worshippers in Indonesia had their temperature checked before attending prayers

EPA A boy wearing a face mask has his temperature checked before attending Eid prayers — Some worshippers in Indonesia had their temperature checked before attending prayers

After a Ramadan marked by lockdowns and social distancing, Muslims around the world have begun celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

The "festival of the breaking of the fast" is one of Islam's two major holidays. It begins when the moon rises on the final day of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting.

Traditionally, whole communities turn out to attend Eid prayers at their local mosques.

But with many countries still under coronavirus restrictions, Eid will look very different for many people this year.

As the start of the festival depends on the sighting of the new moon, the first day of Eid varies between countries.

Eid in Africa - in pictures

Somalia and Kenya, for example, began celebrating on Saturday. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Thailand held Eid prayers on Sunday.

And in some parts of the world, Muslims are still fasting and won't mark Eid al-Fitr until Monday.

Getty Images An aerial photograph shows people attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia — Crowds gathered at this mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Getty Images A young Palestinian wearing a face mask holds a prayer mat over their head — Palestinians attended prayers on Sunday morning, despite fears about the spread of coronavirus

Getty Images Muslims, wearing masks and maintaining the social distancing, gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Gaza — The densely-populated territory, whose health system was already under pressure before the pandemic, reported its first virus-related death on Saturday

Getty Images Worshippers in Djibouti — Worshippers are pictured here in Djibouti, East Africa on Sunday

Getty Images Staff use a thermoscanner to check the body temperature of Muslims during the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr in Rome — In Rome, staff used thermoscanners to check the body temperature of worshippers

Getty Images Workers disinfect the area where muslims offer the Eid al Fitr prayer in Peshawar — And here in Peshawar in Pakistan, workers sprayed disinfectant in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19

Getty Images Volunteers in face masks hand out gloves at the entrance to the Heart of Chechnya Mosque in Grozny, Chechen Republic — Volunteers in face masks handed out gloves at the entrance to the Heart of Chechnya Mosque in Grozny

Getty Images A worshipper in Tehran, Iran wears protective equipment — People wore protective gloves and masks and maintained social distancing in Tehran

Getty Images Worshippers pictured in Albania — But other countries still saw large crowds gather. This image shows prayers in Albania

All images subject to copyright.

In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid coronavirus

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid

Eid in Africa - crowds and masks amid coronavirus

Muslims mark first day of Ramadan