West Yorkshire Muslims on what Eid means to them

Muslims across West Yorkshire have come together to celebrate the end of Ramadan

West Yorkshire's Muslim communities have come together to celebrate Eid as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.

Eid marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan and is therefore a feast day, as well as a religious holiday, and is often marked by family celebrations, gifts and gatherings.

The name Eid al-Fitr translates as "the festival of the breaking of the fast".

The BBC spoke to people in Leeds and Bradford as they gathered to pray before feasting.

'Fasting is easy'

Dilawar Khan said his favourite part of Eid was the "beautiful" moment people come together to pray after Ramadan had ended.

"After all this, we eat and celebrate with friends and family," he told the BBC while on his way to a celebration.

Dilawar added that fasting for up to 16 hours a day was not particularly difficult.

"Fasting is easy for us. It's not too much of a big deal.

"Allah gives us protection and energy."

Dilawar enjoys getting together with friends and family over Eid

The BBC met civil servant Sajid on Upper Rushton Road as he was visiting family with his wife and their four young daughters, in their matching outfits for the occasion.

"Weather-wise it's been a bit down but we prayed on," the 33-year-old said.

"Everything is going well.

"Now I'm visiting my family. After finishing visiting here, we will go to another family member's house."

Civil servant Sajid with two of his daughters

Is fasting for 30 days as difficult as it sounds?

"We don't feel it," Sajid insisted.

"People think it might be hard, but it's not."

And the best thing about Eid?

"Getting closer to your god, knowing him and following his rule. It gives you peace of mind as well."

'Eid Mubarak to everyone'

Talata Abdulai is part of the Darussalam Leeds organisation, a community faith group.

She was among the hundreds of worshippers who were reading their Eid prayers at the Leeds Islamic Centre on Wednesday morning before heading home to celebrate with family, as is tradition.

She said Eid is a "great festival" for everyone around the world, not just Muslims.

“It's the time that we show love to the needy. We give to charity. We make sure everybody gets something to eat.

"We fast so that you see what it's like for somebody to be hungry. Fasting is a symbol, to feel that pain. After your fasting, we all celebrate Eid. We all eat together, regardless of whether you are Muslim or not. It's a great festival."

“It's special in Yorkshire because we are multicultural here in Leeds and we have lovely, lovely people. We do things together. It's all about peace and love. And Eid is for everybody.”

“Eid Mubarak to everyone, especially my loved ones."

Talata says Eid is for everyone.

Twenty-four-year old Usman Hussain had left it late to buy his mother some flowers for the special occasion.

By his own admission, the legal worker leaves everything until the last minute.

He spoke to the BBC while he waited for a bouquet of roses to be made up by a florist on Bradford's Leeds Road.

The shop was one of the few open on Wednesday morning with the majority of businesses closed for morning prayers.

"Eid just brings everyone together. It's the main thing for the Asian community, everyone gets out to say hi, they shake hands, they hug it out.

"Eid is about family and getting together."

'It's a time to reflect'

Abid says Ramadan is a time to help other people

Businessman Abid Hussain, chief executive of the Abu Bakar supermarket chain, said Ramadan had been "the best time in my life".

Speaking outside the Leeds Islamic Centre in between posing for photos with friends, he told the BBC: “It's a time to reflect. It's a time to contemplate. It's a time to care for others and think about others.

"We are so busy in our world that today we forget the reality of life and it just brings you back to the ground.

"You get connected with the divine and that's important.”