CELEBRATIONS took place across East Lancashire yesterday to mark the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important dates in the Muslim calendar, marks the end of 30 days of fasting for the world’s Muslims.

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Thousands gathered at mosques and more than 1,000 at Blackburn’s Witton Park for special prayers before a day spent celebrating with food and exchanging gifts with friends and family.

Taking part in celebrations at Masjid-E-Raza in Blackburn, student Mo Arshad, 17, said Eid brought older and younger generations together.

He said: “All of the community came together to shake hands.

“It’s an honour as part of the younger generation to shake hands with the older generation. There’s a sense of respect. You see everybody greeting each other. It’s such a good thing.

“The family meal is the main part of the day. We all sit down and have a massive plate of food.”

He said fasting was more of a spiritual challenge, rather than physical.

He added: “There’s a sense of self-reflection and of being close to God.”

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, mayor of the borough, wished everyone a happy Eid and said it was about bringing the community together.

“We did a prayer for our world for what’s going on - a lot of people are divided. We prayed for every single person.”

In Burnley, 2,000 people turned out at the town’s biggest mosque, Jamia Masjid Ghausia in Abel Street.

Cllr Wajid Khan said: “People offered Eid prayers early in the morning and visited family and friends into the evening.

“Everyone was dressed up and enjoying the food after 30 days of fasting. It’s been an extremely busy day.

“Children have been receiving gifts and Eid money, so there have been big queues at the cashpoints.

He said completing the fast at this time of year when daylight hours are so long had been “challenging”.

He added: “It’s very tough to complete the fast. It’s a humbling experience and makes you think about people who are living around the world without food.

“It gives you that understanding and helps you appreciate what you have.”

Afhfak Ahmed, who organised the prayers in Witton Park, in which more than 1,000 attended, said celebrations would continue at Witton Park on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm with a festival open to all.