About half a million Muslims living in Australia attended Eid al-Fitr prayers and listened to the sermon on Friday morning (at 07:15 local time).
By doing so, they were the first Muslims to witness the first moments of the festival, depending on the geographical location of Australia, which is six hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
The main prayer was held in the Imam Ali Mosque in Lakemba, a suburb in south-western Sydney, while also dozens of prayers were held in prayer rooms in large closed halls in all Australian states because of the winter weather which prompted the replacement of public squares and parks.
This year’s Eid sermons focused on the unity of Muslim communities in Australia, and warnings against those who are pursuing to sow discord among Muslims, in a clear allusion to the anti-terrorism laws that the government is trying to apply.
It is noteworthy that there are between 205-300 mosques and Islamic centers across Australia.
ABC