Cairo: Far from the din and controversy roiling interfaith relations in the West, Muslims in the Middle East thronged mosques, cafes and parks in a solemn and joyful end to the fasting month of Ramadan.
Authorities increased security in some countries due to fears that violence could intrude the celebrations, but for most Muslims it was a day of peace, family and, most important, feasting.
Friends and relatives feasted on spicy lamb, kebabs and saffron rice, while smokers happily puffed on cigarettes in broad daylight as the three-day Eid Al Fitr festival got under way across the Muslim world.
"It's nice to be eating, drinking and smoking during the daytime," said Jordanian banker Mutaz Kurdi, 37, as he walked his two children in an Amman park. "Fasting was difficult this year because of the summer heat."
Traffick-free streets
Business was brisk for ice cream vendors in Baghdad, where children decked out in holiday finery rode ferris wheels at amusement parks and raced horse-drawn carts on traffic-free streets. Some boys battled each other with plastic guns, ignoring a ban on toy weapons imposed so children would not be mistaken for militants.
Still, soldiers guarded playgrounds and public parks, and additional military and police checkpoints were erected across the Iraqi capital — a reminder the country still faces near-daily bombings and shootings despite a dramatic drop in attacks.
Ali Eisa, a 41-year-old father of four from the Shiite slum of Sadr City, said Iraqis have little to look forward to this holiday season, with prices on the rise and continuing political bickering.
"The security situation is deteriorating and so is the economy," Ali Eisa said. "This year, I only bought new dresses for my two girls while I asked the two boys to use their old clothes because I cannot afford new clothes for everybody."
In Yemen, authorities warned people to pray inside mosques and deployed heavy security after posters signed by Al Qaida threatened attacks. No outdoor prayers were held in two southern provinces after officials urged people to avoid large gatherings.
A threat by a small Florida church to burn copies of the Quran dominated Eid sermons in the Palestinian territories. Esmail Haniya, leader of Hamas, told tens of thousands of faithful at a stadium in the Gaza Strip that they had "to respond to this criminal, this liar, this crazy priest who reflects a crazy Western attitude toward Islam and the Muslim nation".
Family traditions
Despite the controversy, most Muslims worldwide held to traditions of celebration and family.
Thousands of children, most dressed in new holiday clothing, thronged the streets of Gaza City, which were decorated with banners wishing a "Happy Eid".
Hamas activists distributed candy and toys to children who lost parents during Israel's bruising war in Gaza nearly two years ago and in other conflicts.
In the West Bank, men with children in tow paid respects to female relatives — mothers, sisters and aunts — bearing gifts of sweets as well as cash. The women greeted their visitors with offerings of baklava and other pastries.
In Egypt, hundreds of thousands flocked to the Giza Zoo while others rode traditional sailboats known as feluccas on the Nile River. Millions prayed at some 3,000 outdoor sites as clerics gave sermons.
