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Rabat – Libya’s political divisions between its eastern and western faction have marred Eid al Fitr celebrations by announcing different days of celebrations. Libya’s two factions have found few things to agree on in recent years, delaying elections and the recovery of the country, yet this division has now extended to when religious authorities determined to see the crescent moon announcing the conclusion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Libya’s political divide appears to have extended to local religious authorities as those in eastern Libya announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday, making it the last day of Ramadan, and marking Friday as the day for Eid al Fitr celebrations.
Religious authorities in Tripoli, the capital of Libya’s western, UN-backed government disagreed as they had not yet witnessed the moon, announcing that Eid al Fitr in the country’s west would be celebrated on Saturday, and fasting should continue on Friday.
The unusual situation meant that along the border of territory controlled by each faction, some Muslims would fast, while their neighbors feasted to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan with typical Eid al Fitr celebrations.
The unusual situation will likely have resulted in some strange situations, as it is common to travel and visit friends and family as part of Eid al Fitr traditions, resulting in people having to make sure their friends and family members were indeed celebrating, or still fasting, depending on their geographical locations or even political allegiance.
Libyans typically celebrate Eid-alFitr in ways familiar with most Muslims around the world, featuring large gatherings of friends and families after traditional Eid prayers in local mosques. Libya’s ancient culture provides its own unique elements to Eid al Fitr as well, with traditional folk dances in local costumes that this year occurred on different days in Benghazi and Tripoli.
It is not completely uncommon to celebrate Eid on different days within one country, yet usually this divide is the result of different religious affiliations. Saudi Arabia this year saw its Muslim communities celebrate on different days as well, as Sunnis celebrated on Friday, while the country’s sizable Shia community celebrated on Saturday.
