A monthlong daytime fast came to an end on Wednesday morning for thousands of Muslims on Long Island as they marked the conclusion of Ramadan and began a major three-day festival.
An estimated 3,000 people filled the football field at Centereach High School in Selden for prayers that started the Eid al-Fitr holiday, said Nayyar Imam, one of the organizers of the event.
So many people were arriving that traffic got backed up and they had to delay the start for more than 20 minutes, he said.
Thousands of Muslims attended services at mosques across Long Island.
Two consecutive services at an indoor soccer field at Mitchel Field in Uniondale attracted a total of 4,000 people, organizers said.
In Centereach, some of the congregants said they were grateful that the local school district, Middle Country, had given students off for the day — the first time that had happened in Middle Country.
They urged neighboring districts to do likewise. About three dozen school districts on Long Island now give students the day off for Eid al-Fitr.
“I think it’s a really big step, “said Wafa Ulla, 25, who graduated from Centereach High School at a time when there were far fewer Muslim students there.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. They cannot eat or drink anything, including water, from sunrise to sunset. They also are obligated to perform acts of charity.
Eid al-Fitr is marked by morning prayers and then festive meals with friends and family. The faithful typically wear colorful traditional clothing.
A monthlong daytime fast came to an end on Wednesday morning for thousands of Muslims on Long Island as they marked the conclusion of Ramadan and began a major three-day festival.
An estimated 3,000 people filled the football field at Centereach High School in Selden for prayers that started the Eid al-Fitr holiday, said Nayyar Imam, one of the organizers of the event.
So many people were arriving that traffic got backed up and they had to delay the start for more than 20 minutes, he said.
Thousands of Muslims attended services at mosques across Long Island.
Two consecutive services at an indoor soccer field at Mitchel Field in Uniondale attracted a total of 4,000 people, organizers said.
In Centereach, some of the congregants said they were grateful that the local school district, Middle Country, had given students off for the day — the first time that had happened in Middle Country.
They urged neighboring districts to do likewise. About three dozen school districts on Long Island now give students the day off for Eid al-Fitr.
“I think it’s a really big step, “said Wafa Ulla, 25, who graduated from Centereach High School at a time when there were far fewer Muslim students there.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. They cannot eat or drink anything, including water, from sunrise to sunset. They also are obligated to perform acts of charity.
Eid al-Fitr is marked by morning prayers and then festive meals with friends and family. The faithful typically wear colorful traditional clothing.
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