Eid celebrations marked with 'little festivals'

Hundreds of people from across the Isle of Man are celebrating Eid, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The feast of Eid-al-Fitr, which lasts three days, comes at the end of a month-long period which sees Muslims fasting between dawn and sunset.

Celebrations are set to take place on Saturday, with a party for families in Douglas, along with other smaller community gatherings.

Tofail Awan, of the Islamic Association Isle of Man, said the number of people joining nightly prayers, known as Taraweeh, had grown significantly over the past decade, which meant there were now numerous "little festivals" being held for Eid.

When he first started work as a doctor at Noble's Hospital nine years ago, he said there was a "rough estimate" of about 250 Muslims on the island.

That number is currently thought to be about 600.

Awan said fasting for Ramadan this year was "very good" because it did not involve "very long days".

The date of Ramadan moves back about 10 days every year because it follows the lunar calendar.