- Title: RELIGION-EID/PALESTINIANS Palestinian president, Hamas leader celebrate Eid
- Date: 17th July 2015
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 17, 2015) (REUTERS) MEN AT PRAYING HAMAS AND PALESTINIAN FLAGS WAVING GUARDS AT PRAYER HAMAS LEADER IN GAZA, ISMAIL HANIYEH, ARRIVING AT PRAYER
- Embargoed: 1st August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA8X0XOF9DPTNGJ2Z52TM801JER
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Muslims kicked off Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Friday (July 17) with prayers and visits to cemeteries in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.
In Jerusalem, throngs of worshippers joined prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine, then visited an ancient hilltop cemetery nearby. There they placed green branches on graves of loved ones and read verses from the Koran.
"God willing, Eid will return upon us again. God willing, in the next Eid the Muslim nation will have victory, the Palestinians and Arabs will be united," Jerusalem resident, Muhammad Marawa said after the prayer.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prayed at his headquarters in Ramallah, before laying a wreath on the grave of the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat.
Abbas addressed Palestinians on the arrival of Eid.
"May God repeat this Eid on our people and the Arab and Muslim nation with blessings and goodness. We hope that next Eid will come as we get rid of the [Israeli] occupation and end settlements and establish an independent Palestinian state and its capital Jerusalem and peace and security have returned to all the Arab countries," Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas said.
In Gaza City, thousands attended a public prayer led by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
"We are with you and with you, we will move towards our freedoms and dignity and liberating our Jerusalem and al-Aqsa," Haniyeh said addressing the people.
"The resistance today, headed by al-Qassam brigades, a year after the war is stronger than what it was during the war so be confident you've a protective shield and a sword," he said, referring to the armed wing of Hamas.
More than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed during last year's Gaza conflict. Sixty-seven Israeli soldiers and six civilians in Israel were killed by rockets and attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.
Eid al-Fitr marks the start of a three-day holiday, that comes after the month of Ramadan, as Muslims exchange gifts, visit family and friends and throw elaborate celebrations. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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