Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr in China

Muslims pray at Niujie Mosque in China's capital on Aug 8 as they gather to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr. The three-day festival marks the end of Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting. [Zou Hong/Asianewsphoto]

Millions of Muslims across China have been celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Muslims attended a mosque on Yinchuan Road in Urumqi, capital of the country's far-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning.

"After the one-month fasting, I feel my soul is purified," said Ma Bensheng, an ethnic Hui, who completed the ritual with others in front of the crowded mosque.

Ma said he wished to become an honest, virtuous and peaceful Muslim and for his family to enjoy happiness and health.

Gheniwar, a Muslim from Shufu County in southern Xinjiang, rode his motorcycle to attend Eid al-Fitr at Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. The mosque is the largest in the country and attracts more than 10,000 Muslims on important religious occasions.

Over the past two years, Gheniwar has been working in a shoe factory in China's eastern coastal region. He said he planned to buy new clothes for his children after Tuesday's congregation.

With about 20 million Muslims in China, the event was also celebrated in other provinces or cities such as Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia and Beijing.

In downtown Beijing, thousands of Muslims went to Niujie Mosque on Niujie Street early on Tuesday for Eid al-Fitr.

A festive atmosphere was felt among the 2.3 million Muslims in northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Ma Hongtian, a 77-year-old ethnic Hui from Harbin, capital of northeastern Heilongjiang Province, took his family of six to Ningxia for Eid al-Fitr.

"There are few Hui people in Harbin. Today, we felt a very good atmosphere. It is good for our children to know the traditional customs and culture of our ethnic group," said Ma.

More than 14,000 Muslims, including nationals from Arab countries who work in Ningxia, congregated in Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan, the regional capital, said Bao Jingui, director of the Nanguan Mosque administration committee.

The congregation started at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the mosque.

"Our family has 40 to 50 members and everyone is busy. Eid al-Fitr is a good occasion for a reunion," said Bao Hui after the service.

Muslims in Ningxia are enjoying a five-day holiday from Saturday to Wednesday for the festival.

The government of Yinchuan has reserved more meat for sale during the festival at a price of 38 yuan per kg, which is 5 yuan to 8 yuan cheaper than market prices, according to local authorities. The government in Xinjiang has also reserved meat for sale at lower prices during the festival.