Iraq has high hopes ahead of Eid al-Fitr, but in Philippines Muslim festival is sombre affair this year
ADVERTISEMENTAll around the Muslim world everyone is getting ready for Eid al-Fitr, the great festival that ends the holy month of
Ramadan.
In Iraq battle may rage in the north of the country, but in Baghdad the markets are full of the delicacies and clothes
people traditionally spend heavily on to end the weeks of fasting and self-denial.
“We come here to buy clothes for our children. I hope this Eid we will celebrate the liberation of Mosul together with
the Eid celebrations. God willing there will be no Daesh next Eid and our future will be much better,” said one man
out shopping.
However in Afghanistan it has been the bloodiest Ramadan since 9/11, sixteen years ago, and in Marawi City in
the Philippines there is little joy either, as martial law and an ongoing battle between the army and Islamist militants
which has emptied the city of most of its population, continues.