Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP):

Millions of Muslims across Asia began celebrating the end of the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday with solemn sunrise prayers followed by savoury high-calorie feasts to mark their holiest holiday, despite concerns over violence looming across parts of the region and elsewhere worldwide.

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, throngs of believers made their way to mosques donning brand new clothes to kick off the start of Eid al-Fitr, festivities that culminate after a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting and prayer when Muslims are supposed to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex as a way to test their faith. The holiday is also a time of reflection, forgiveness and charity - cars were seen driving around the capital, Jakarta, handing out envelopes to the poor.

different start times

Not all countries begin celebrations on the same day. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, for instance, are expected to officially begin Eid on Friday after the moon is sighted by officials there.

Despite the holiday's peaceful message, some countries remained on heightened alert amid fears over potential violence in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Concerns also lingered in parts of the Middle East and Africa after Washington temporarily closed 19 diplomatic posts over terrorism worries while United States and British embassy employees were evacuated from Yemen where the government announced it had foiled an al-Qaida plot.