CAIRO: While Muslims around the world welcome Eid Al-Fitr with prayer and reflection, in Egypt the celebrations burst with warmth, color and deep-rooted joy.
Millions of Egyptians filled mosques for Eid prayers, overflowing into courtyards and streets bright with festive decorations, with families adding to the atmosphere by gathering in public parks to share laughter and togetherness.
The Egyptian government has decreed that March 19-23 is an official holiday to mark Eid Al-Fitr.
Egypt is characterized by unique social customs for celebrating Eid Al-Fitr, where families gather a few days beforehand to cook special Eid sweets such as kahk and gorayebah. (Supplied)
In the early hours of Friday morning, Egyptians gathered in mosques from Al-Azhar and El-Hussein to Sayyida Zeinab and the Mosque of Amr ibn Al-Aas as everyone prepared to celebrate. At Al-Azhar, foreign communities gathered, including students from the university.
