APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Tens of thousands of Muslims in Rwanda on Friday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
An official statement issued by the Rwanda Muslim Council (RMC) slated Friday as the day for the Eid celebrations after the moon was sighted following 29 days of fasting by the country’s Muslim population.
Eid al-Fitr – which means ‘festival of the breaking of the fast – is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month when adult Muslims are mandated to fast.
National-level prayers to celebrate the day were held at a stadium located in Nyamirambo, a suburb of Kigali city.
Also known as “Lesser Eid,” Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
According to certain Islamic traditions, these festivities were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from his home town of Mecca.
Islam is the largest minority religion in Rwanda constituting 15 percent of the country’s population.
Virtually all Muslims in Rwanda are Sunnis.
CU/as/APA