Muslims in Britain and around the world begin celebrating Eid al-Fitr as holy ... trends now

The Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is being celebrated by Muslims around the world today, with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats.

Almost four million Muslims in Britain began their celebrations today after the first sighting of the new crescent moon, bringing to an end their month of fasting.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared a video message to Muslims across the UK on X, saying: 'After the long month of fasting, I wish you all the joy of this festival that brings people together for thanks and reflection.'

Muslim countries saw the streets of their capital cities flooded with worshippers, with stunning images showing crowds of tens of thousands gathering to celebrate the holiday together in Cairo, where flares were set off in jubilant scenes.

But the usually joyous celebrations have been far more muted in many parts of the Muslim world, with the holiday overshadowed for many by the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as the war grinds on. 

In the war-torn enclave, displaced Palestinians marked the holiday amid the ruins of a bombed-out mosques, including in Rafah, where around 1.5 million people are seeking shelter. 

'There is no joy or appetite for celebrating the holy occasion,' Ahmed Ismail, a shopkeeper in Rafah, told Qatari outlet Al Jazeera. 

'Even children have no interest in toys as they did in the past. This is the worst season we have ever lived.' 

In his statement, Mr Sunak said: 'I know many will be thinking particularly of those in Gaza . The bloodshed and suffering are unbearable,' adding that the UK government is working 'to bring the conflict to an end.'

US President Joe Biden said his thoughts were with those in Gaza in his Eid message.

'As Muslim families and communities come together for Eid al-Fitr, they are also reflecting on the pain felt by so many. My thoughts are with those around the world enduring conflict, hunger, and displacement, including in places such as Gaza and Sudan,' he wrote on X.

'Now is the time to recommit to the work of building peace and standing for the dignity of all.'

Muslim Americans will observe the holiday today with morning prayers along with events hosted by mosques and Islamic organizations.

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as 'mudik' that is always welcomed with excitement.

'Mudik is not just an annual ritual or tradition for us,' said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island. 

'This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home.'

Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets teemed with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets. 

People poured out of major cities to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones. 

Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus and train stations for the journey.

Video shows thousands piling into boats to depart the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka yesterday as they headed home for Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

In Pakistan, authorities have deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to keep security at mosques and marketplaces.