Muslims around the world, are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr, a festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayers. It is one of the largest and most important events in the Islamic calendar.
On Sunday, Muslim worshippers in Mali gathered to pray and celebrate the event with family and friends at Bamako’s grand Mosque for the korité (Eid al-Fitr).
Despite the insecurity and sanctions imposed on Mali by ECOWAS four months ago, and the untold hardship it has brought to Malians, the air has continued to be that of optimism and hope.
“From all points of view, the embargo has not changed anything with regard to the organisation of this festival,” son of the patriarch of the Toure family, Abdoul Wahab Toure says.
“I can say that even if the embargo had an impact on the organisation of the festival, the government took on all its responsibilities by subsidising all the basic foodstuffs and this had an effect,” add Service attendee, Bandiagou Gueye.
Eid al-Fitr is often referred to as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” The practice of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the holy month of Ramadan (“Sawm”) is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Many Muslims believe that the Eid al-Fitr is a festival to show immense appreciation to Allah for the help and strength bestowed upon them throughout the month of Ramadan to help them practice self-control.