July 17, 2015 3:29 PM EDT
W ith large-scale prayer services and family gatherings, Muslims around the world began celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Friday morning. The three-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan is a time of gratitude and festivity, when many observe the holiday in their own ways across the globe.
The holiday is celebrated in many ways by Muslim cultures all over the word. Take a look at these photos compiled of Friday’s celebrations to see how Muslims in Afghanistan, India, China and elsewhere celebrated the holy day.
An Afghan boy attends Eid al-Fitr prayers in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, on July 17, 2015. Sayed Mustafa—EPA Muslim faithful take part in morning prayers to celebrate the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at the Eastleigh High School in Eastleigh, a suburb in Nairobi predominantly inhabited by Somali immigrants within Kenya's capital Nairobi, on July 17, 2015. Boniface Mwangi—Reuters Chinese Muslims of the Hui ethnic minority hold incense as they pray at the Imam's Tomb before the last Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque on July 17, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images A young Chinese Muslim of the Hui ethnic minority sits on a prayer rug as men stand and pray during the last Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque on July 17, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images An Indian Muslim devotee looks on before the start of Jummat-Ul-Vida prayers on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at Jama Masjid Mosque in the old quarters of New Delhi on July 17, 2015. Chandan Khanna—AFP/Getty Images Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers outside Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, on July 17, 2015. Francois Nel—Getty Images Syrian refugee children dressed in new clothes hold the hands of their grandmother while walking back to their shelter on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Zaatari refugee camp, in Mafraq, Jordan, on July 17, 2015. Muhammed Muheisen—AP A Nigerian Muslim family takes a selfie portrait before Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 17, 2015. Sunday Alamba—AP Indonesian muslims walk on 'sea of sands' as they prepare for Eid Al-Fitr prayer at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on July 17, 2015. Ulet Ifansasti—Getty Images A picture taken from the Abraj al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, shows Muslim worshipers praying at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, a day before the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on July 16, 2015. AFP/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You? The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision