Muslim festival Eid al-Fitr celebrated in Belfast

Dr Raied Al-Wazzan said multiple celebrations were being held across the city

An estimated 2,000 people gathered in south Belfast to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The biggest gathering in Northern Ireland to celebrate Eid was at the Newforge Sports Complex.

One of the organisers of the event, Dr Raied Al-Wazzan, said multiple celebrations were being held across the city, as a single venue wasn't able to accommodate everyone.

"The Muslim community are growing and more people are coming out, especially when the weather like this is good, more people will come out and join," he said.

The biggest gathering in Northern Ireland to celebrate Eid was at the Newforge Sports Complex in south Belfast

The event was attended by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who said it was a "privilege" to host the celebration.

The Newforge complex is home to the PSNI's Athletic Association and Mr Boutcher told those gathered it was an "incredibly important day".

"It's a chance for us as the police to talk to a community that sometimes feels under threat, sometimes doesn't feel supported," he added.

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher was among those attending on Sunday and said it was an "incredibly important day"

"Last summer, we all know, we had some really difficult times in the UK and particularly here in Northern Ireland around the disorder.

"So to reassure this community, that that doesn't represent Northern Ireland...that's part of what we were doing today, and I think it's been a huge success."

The date of both Ramadan and Eid depend on the cycles of the moon, so in 2025 Eid falls on 30 March.

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

Leila Hashim said hundreds had been present at the celebration

Leila Hashim, who was at the Belfast event, said the turnout was amazing.

"It's just been organised over the last few days...a lot of people have turned up, we have hundreds as you've seen," she said.

"Even people are asking for second prayer, so probably next year there will be even more people and more prayers, so we are looking forward to that."

Ms Hashim continued: "Eid is celebrated after Ramadan, the holy month of Ramadan, where we dedicate ourselves, our soul and everything.

"A month of fasting, not eating, not even drinking water and then when we finish that month now it is time to celebrate."

Dr Ahmar Saeed compared the end of Ramadan to Christmas

Dr Ahmar Saeed said the word Eid meant "celebration" and was about spending time with others.

"It's basically like Christmas for us, at the end of Ramadan, a very difficult a hard time for us.

"We've accomplished it, we've gone through it successfully, so we are today grateful for it, grateful to God.

"Today the plans are basically to just have fun, so like Christmas, you have Christmas dinners, we have a feast on Eid and the point is to meet and just share the happiness."

Muhammad Atif from the Belfast Multi-Cultural Centre said he was "very appreciative" of the chief constable's attendance at the celebration.

"We really appreciate his efforts to bring the communities together.

"We feel like a lot of bridges have been built since he came into post and we are hoping for the best for the future."