The French Council for Muslim Worship and the Grand Mosque of Paris have announced that Eid el-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, has been set for this Monday, May 2.
Ramadan began on April 2, in France, this year, a holy month that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslim worshipers must abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Muslim authorities confirmed this weekend that the end of Ramadan was scheduled for Monday, May 2. Practitioners celebrate Eid-ul-Fitrthe opportunity to get together around large family meals or with friends, and to offer gifts.
“People were praying across the street!”
In Saint-Etienne, Eid el-Fitr began with a morning of common prayer, as for example at the Great Mosque Mohammed VI, in the district of the Sun. “There were at least 9,000 people, it was impressive! Affirms Youssef Afif in charge of communication. People were praying across the street.” Usually, during Friday prayers, the faithful are around 3,000 praying at the Saint-Etienne mosque.