RELIGION-EID/IRAQ Iraq's Sunni Muslims observe Eid, pray for peace, security

Record ID: 146787

  • Title: RELIGION-EID/IRAQ Iraq's Sunni Muslims observe Eid, pray for peace, security
  • Date: 17th July 2015
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 17, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MOSQUE IN CENTRAL BAGHDAD / POLICE CAR AT ENTRANCE AS PEOPLE ENTER MOSQUE FOR EID PRAYERS CLOSE-UP OF POLICE CAR AT ENTRANCE TO MOSQUE AND SIGN OF MOSQUE READING "17TH RAMADAN MOSQUE" CLOSE-UP OF SIGN AND DOME OF MOSQUE POLICEMEN BODY FRISKING PEOPLE ENTERING MOSQUE PEOPLE WALKING INTO MOSQUE FAITHFUL PRAYING INSIDE MOSQU
  • Embargoed: 1st August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADX77LXN49AWPACK3LNISXJQIR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Iraq's Sunni Muslims celebrated on Friday (July 17) the first day of Eid al-Fitr a day ahead of most of the country's Shi'ite population.
    Worshippers gathered at the central Baghdad 17th Ramadan mosque.
    The three-day Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Most of Iraq's majority Shi'ites however, many of whom followers of Iraq's top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, will observe the first day of Eid on Saturday (July 18) as the new moon was not sighted by them on Thursday night.
    Worshipper Jasim Mohammed al-Kubaisi said he hoped his prayers for the country's armed forces against Islamic State militants would be answered.
    "We pray to the Almighty God to confer victory upon Iraq and the Iraqis and make our army and security forces prevail on the enemy. We also pray for peace to Iraq and Iraqis. Iraqis are good people and God willing, they will pass current difficult times," he said.
    Iraqi security forces have launched an offensive to recapture the country's largest province Anbar from Islamic State militants.
    "I wish an everlasting joy for the Iraqis. Enough with daily bombings, terrorism and ISIS," said teenager Yasser.
    Islamic State's capture of Ramadi two months ago marked the biggest defeat for the Baghdad government since the militants swept through the north of the country last June and declared a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq straddling the border.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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