Summary

  • Eid Mubarak! Muslims across the globe are celebrating following the end of Ramadan

  • The BBC screened a live service from Bradford Central Mosque - the first terrestrial broadcast of its kind

  • Eid al-Fitr is the "festival of breaking the fast" and takes place the day after the new moon is seen at the end of the month of Ramadan

  • Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran - Islam's holy book - were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this time

  • Watch the broadcast by clicking here.

Live Reporting

Edited by Grace Newton and Aisha Iqbal

  1. 'Broadcast is chance to share peace, mercy and gratitude'

    Shaykh Syed Ahsan sat being interviewed.

    Shaykh Syed Ahsan, who will lead the prayers at today's service, said the broadcast - the first of its kind in the UK - was an opportunity to convey Islam's message of "peace, mercy and gratitude".

    "Our mosque is not just a place of worship, it is a landmark in the city, it reflects who we are as British Muslims," he said.

    "It is an opportunity for us to highlight how Bradford Central Mosque is integral to Bradford and how it shares its history and its rich architectural heritage as well.

    "In addition to that its an opportunity for us to show the message of Islam, which is of peace and mercy and gratitude, to the world."

  2. Why is Eid sometimes celebrated across different days?

    A crescent moon appears in the skies above CaliforniaGetty Images

    Islam follows the lunar calendar

    You might have seen people celebrating Eid at different times across the world over the last couple of days.

    There are different interpretations of when Eid should be celebrated.

    In some countries, it is declared at government level when a new moon becomes visible in that nation. For other countries though that can be problematic if the moon is hidden behind clouds.

    Some parts of the globe pre-set the date based on lunar predictions, while some scholars suggest Eid should fall on the same day worldwide.

  3. 'A momentous moment for the UK'

    Jason Mohammad wearing a dark suit and black roll neck jumper smiles at the camera

    Coverage of today's prayers will be presented by Match of the Day and BBC radio presenter Jason Mohammad.

    Describing it as "a bit of change from the day job" he said the broadcast was a "momentous moment" and a "deep honour and a privilege" to be a part of it.

    "If you had told the little boy sat in the mosque in Cardiff listening to the Imam and the khutbah that I would be one day broadcasting an Eid service on live TV I would never have believed you," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

    "The reaction I've had [to the broadcast] is amazing. So many other people who follow other faiths have said what a turning point this could be in terms of inter-faith relations.

    "The fact you will be able to see an Eid service from the magnificent mosque in Bradford is a momentous moment for our country, perhaps when we need it most."

  4. Eid around the world

    Observed worldwide, millions of Muslims have gathered to mark Eid with prayers at places of worship all over the planet.

    You can see more here.

    Sunni Muslim women walk through the rain as they arrive for Eid al-Fitr prayers at the shrine of cleric Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Gailani in BaghdadReuters

    Even downpours in Baghdad didn't dissuade crowds from flocking to Eid prayers

    A Muslim cleric leads a congregation in prayer as they await the sighting of the moon in Cape Town, South AfricaReuters

    The festival has also been marked in Cape Town in South Africa

    Lots of men stand together, some with their heads covered, for a service to mark EidShutterstock

    Worshippers in Sydney, Australia, gathered to mark the festival with prayers

  5. What is Eid al-Fitr?

    The new moon appears in the sky above a mosque in IndiaGetty Images

    Eid al-Fitr is the "festival of breaking the fast".

    It takes place the day after the new moon is seen at the end of the month of Ramadan, and marks the start of Shawwal - the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

    Along with Eid al-Adha, it is one of the two main festivals in Islam.

    Many Muslims attend prayers at their mosque on the morning of Eid al-Fitr.

    By this time, they are expected to have made their end-of-Ramadan donation to charity - known as zakat-ul-fitr or fitrana - to help feed the poor.

    Eid al-Fitr is usually a period of great celebration, with families and friends coming together and sharing large meals.

    It is also common for children to receive either money or small gifts from their elders.

  6. What is Ramadan?

    Colourful lights and a sign saying Happy Ramadan hang above a street at nightGetty Images

    Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

    The date changes each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the Moon), so it isn't a fixed date in the Gregorian or solar calendar.

    Ramadan is considered important because it is to mark when the Quran, the Muslim holy book, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

    Many Muslims will try and read as much of the Quran as possible during Ramadan.

    Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds, and spending time with family and friends.

    Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help.

  7. Good morning and welcome to our live coverage

    Humaira Bham
    BBC New Voices

    Eid Mubarak, assalamu alaikum and welcome.

    Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid Al-Fitr and the end of Ramadan.

    As part of the celebrations the BBC will be broadcasting Eid prayers live from Bradford Central Mosque, the first time this service of worship has been televised on a UK terrestrial channel.

    Join us as we build up to the broadcast and take a look at how people will be marking the day and their experiences of Ramadan.