Balkans | Muslims in the Western Balkans perform Eid al-Fitr prayers

Muslims living in Western Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo filled mosques to perform Eid prayers.

In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hundreds of Muslims gathered at the historic Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque for Eid prayers.

And the President of the Islamic Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein Kavazovic, said in his sermon after leading the prayer that they spent the month of Ramadan with prayers and reached the feast.

Kavazović explained that people should live without hurting, blaming, or condemning each other, “They should treat all people with kindness and compassion, regardless of their origin. I ask our Lord to restore mercy to our hearts that makes us better people and better believers. Let us not do things to each other.” Some we regret it and we don’t want to do it. We live in a country that we love and for which we have made great sacrifices many times.” He said.

On the other hand, there was great enthusiasm for Eid prayers in the mosques of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Serbia and Croatia

Muslims gathered in Berkeley, the only mosque in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and performed the Eid prayer. After that, the citizens celebrated with each other.

Mosques in the Sanjak region of Serbia greeted Eid al-Fitr with great enthusiasm, as Bosnia’s population is growing.

In Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, the holiday prayer took place in the mosque of the same name as the city.

Montenegro and North Macedonia

In Montenegro, the smallest country in the Western Balkans, Eid prayers were held in mosques across the country, especially in the capital, Podgorica.

The central celebration on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in North Macedonia was held at the Mustafa Pasha Mosque in the capital, Skopje, under the auspices of the Islamic Federation of North Macedonia (Religious Affairs). Turkish, Albanian and Bosnian hymns were sung as part of the programme.

Muslims who did not find a place in the mosque filled the courtyard of the mosque.

The President of the Islamic Union of North Macedonia, Shakir Fatahu, delivered the Eid sermon in Albanian and Macedonian.

In statements to the press after the prayer, Fatahu described today as the day of victory for the deeds of the believers in the month of Ramadan.

Recalling that he also touched on youth migration in his Eid sermon, Fatahu said: “By understanding the general situation in North Macedonia and the region, and seeing the economic crisis, we all have an awareness and we need to create common conditions for a stable economic level so that our people can find their future in the lands.” in which they were born and raised as far as we can with our words and letters.” He said.

Albania and Kosovo

The central program for this holiday in Albania was traditionally held in Skanderbeg Square in the capital, Tirana, with the participation of thousands of Muslims. Within the scope of the program was the reading of the Koran and prayer.

In addition to the square, Eid prayers were held in mosques across the country.

In Kosovo, Muslims filled mosques on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. The central ceremony was held in the capital, Pristina, at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque, with the participation of the President of the Islamic Federation of Kosovo, Naim Ternava.

Trnava said in his sermon that Eid al-Fitr is the most popular holiday which is looked forward to by all age groups.

Citizens also exchanged messages about living in peace and helping each other.

Sabri Tunce Angeli, Turkey’s ambassador to Pristina, performed the Eid prayer at the Sinan Pasha Mosque, located in the city center of Prizren in the south of the country.

Citizens visited the graves of their relatives in the city cemeteries as a holiday tradition after prayers.