Winnipeg Muslims gather by the thousands to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at end of Ramadan

Thousands of Muslims in Winnipeg gathered Friday at various locations to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

"We're just having a really nice, happy day. Everybody's really excited about it," said Noris Zeid, a vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association.

Eid al-Fitr translates as "festival of breaking the fast." The major religious holiday, observed by Muslims worldwide, celebrates the end of a sacred month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset every day.

The start of Ramadan, a period of abstinence to cultivate self-restraint and spiritual growth, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This year it began on Feb. 17.

Eid is celebrated with communal prayers, gift giving and gatherings that reflect the values of generosity, gratitude, empathy and unity, and 1.8 million Muslims nationwide take part, the Canadian Council of Imams said.

It can last anywhere from one to three days and includes dressing in new clothes, visiting family and friends and sharing feasts.

"A lot of people are decked out to the nines. There's some amazing things people are wearing … it's just so diverse," Zeid said.

Various community centres and mosques in Winnipeg are holding Eid events but the largest, hosted by the Manitoba Islamic Association, is at Assiniboia Downs.

It runs from 7:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. and offers several prayer sessions throughout the morning. Capacity for each session is 3,500 and organizers say they're getting close to outgrowing the space.

"We're expecting, probably, 10,000 to 12,000 people coming to Assiniboia Downs [through the day]," Zeid said.

Ruheen Aziz with the Manitoba Islamic Association said there are 25,000 to 30,000 Muslims in Manitoba, with the vast majority living in Winnipeg.

The Islamic association also hosts an Eid celebration at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre in the St. Boniface neighbourhood for the French-speaking community.

While it is a celebratory time, this year's Eid falls under the shadow of war in the Middle East. For many, the prayers this year are focused on finding peace, Zeid said.

"It's a happy time, but at the same time, people are worried about things that are happening everywhere in the world. But it's a balanced thing [and] today is one of those things where, if we can celebrate, we will," he said.