Maldives celebrates Eid with fun and festivities

The Maldives celebrated Eid al-Adha on Tuesday with mass prayers, communal feasts and cultural festivities across the country.

On populous islands, including the capital and the southern cities, the Eid prayer was performed in mass congregations in open-air spaces such as stadiums and parks. Large numbers of men and women, parents with young children and Muslim expatriates participated.

The religious holiday marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. Ferries and flights were fully booked ahead of the Bodu Eid (Big Eid) nine-day holiday as thousands flocked out of Malé to fly overseas or spend the vacation in resorts and more idyllic inhabited islands.

The merrymaking began after the early morning prayer and exchanging of greetings.