Millions Mark Eid al-Fitr Across Iraq with Mass Prayers at Holy Shrines in Karbala, Najaf, Kadhimiya, Samarra
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Millions of Muslims marked Eid al-Fitr with prayers at holy shrines across Iraq, including Karbala, Najaf, Kadhimiya, and Samarra.
Eid al-Fitr, a major Islamic festivity celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is regarded as a symbol of devotion and gratitude, as Muslims perform special prayers, give thanks for a month of worship, and seek forgiveness and blessings. It marks a spiritual renewal after a month of fasting and prayer.
In the holy city of Karbala, millions of pilgrims from inside and outside Iraq gathered at the shrines of Imam Hussein and AbalFazl al-Abbas (peace be upon them both) to commemorate the occasion. The area of Bayn al-Haramayn witnessed large crowds attending Eid prayers, while the shrines were also filled on the eve of Eid for night vigils and supplications.
Religious traditions highlight the spiritual significance of Eid night, with some narrations describing the first night of Shawwal as highly virtuous, encouraging prayers and acts of worship. Visiting the shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) on Eid is also considered meritorious, with recommendations to recite Ziyarat Ashura if in-person visitation is not possible.
In Najaf, large numbers of worshippers gathered at the shrine of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), where Eid prayers were held in a deeply spiritual atmosphere marked by supplication and gratitude.
Similarly, in Kadhimiya, prayers were held near the shrine of the two Imams of Kadhimiya (peace be upon them both), while in Samarra, worshippers assembled at the shrine of the Askari Imams (peace be upon them both) to perform Eid prayers and recite Quranic verses and special supplications.
Across these holy sites, the ceremonies reflected unity among believers, as men, women, and children gathered from early morning to participate in collective prayers and renew their spiritual connection.
Eid al-Fitr prayers were also held at Islamic centers worldwide, including at the residence of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Shirazi. The celebrations also included the giving of zakat al-fitr, a mandatory charity distributed to those in need at the end of Ramadan.
In Karbala, the shrines remained crowded throughout the day, while large numbers of visitors also headed to the Wadi al-Salam cemetery to visit the graves of relatives, continuing longstanding traditions associated with the occasion.
