Auckland’s Muslim community gathered at Go Media Stadium to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Sunday.
Photo: Supplied / Husni Swaid
Muslims across New Zealand marked Eid al-Fitr over the weekend after the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand confirmed the sighting of the new moon on Friday evening, signalling the end of Ramadan.
The sighting brought to a close a month of fasting, prayer and reflection, as Muslims observed Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food and water to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah.
Thousands gathered at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Sunday for Eid celebrations organised by the New Zealand Eid Day Trust, with similar events planned nationwide, including in Hamilton at Claudelands Event Centre, Wellington’s Hnry Stadium and Christchurch’s Ray Blank Park, this coming weekend.
“We had around 12,000 people attend the event at Go Media Stadium to celebrate Eid,” said Javed Dadabhai, chairman of the New Zealand Eid Day Trust.
He said all events were open to the public, with organisers welcoming non-Muslims to take part in Eid Day celebrations across New Zealand.
Dadabhai said organisers held prayers and celebrations at separate locations in Auckland this year due to logistical challenges.
“But the community showed up at both locations – at Alexandra Racecourse for prayers and Go Media Stadium for the carnival – which was great,” he said.
Hina Nasir, a Pakistani New Zealander, said events such as NZ Eid Day helped give her and her family a sense of home.
Muslims in Auckland celebrated Chaand Raat at Wesley Community Centre on Friday.
Photo: Supplied
In Auckland, the Pakistani community began celebrations a night earlier.
The Pakistan Association of New Zealand hosted Chaand Raat at Wesley Community Centre on Friday.
“We had people from diverse backgrounds, including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, as well as Arab and African communities, at Chaand Raat,” said Asif Khan, president of the Pakistan Association of New Zealand.
Khan said the event featured a wide variety of traditional food, cultural stalls and activities.
He said celebrations on Saturday began with special congregational prayers held at mosques across the country.
“Families then gather to celebrate together, often enjoying traditional sweet dishes, which is why Eid-ul-Fitr is sometimes referred to as the ‘Sweet Eid’,” he said.
A hand adorned with henna at Auckland’s Chaand Raat celebration ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
Photo: Supplied
Khan said families usually visited each other, shared traditional meals and gave children special Eid gifts, with celebrations often lasting three days.
“Eid carries a strong message of peace, harmony, social cohesion, and inclusiveness, values that are deeply reflected in how it is celebrated here in New Zealand,” he said.
Wellington’s Muslim community also marked the end of Ramadan with large gatherings across the capital.
“Eid in Wellington this year was marked by strong community turnout and a real sense of unity across diverse Muslim communities,” said Asma Azhar, president of the Pakistan Association Wellington.
Eid prayers were held at multiple locations in the greater Wellington region, including the Wellington Islamic Centre in Kilbirnie, Aotea College in Porirua, Johnsonville Community Centre, Naenae College in Lower Hutt, Tawa Islamic Centre and Upper Hutt Islamic Centre, drawing thousands.
The Pakistan Association of Wellington hosted its Eid event at Ngaio Town Hall on Saturday, with about 1000 people attending.
“The event featured a variety of traditional Pakistani food stalls, live cooking and family-friendly activities,” Azhar said.
Members of Wellington’s Pakistani community gathered at Ngaio Town Hall on Saturday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Photo: Supplied
In the South Island, the Pakistani Community of Otago held a special Eid celebration at the Edgar Centre on Saturday, featuring food stalls, henna, children’s activities and community events.
Another celebration was hosted by the Pakistani Association of Canterbury in Christchurch.
Dadabhai said the NZ Eid Day event in Christchurch this coming weekend was one of the largest Eid gatherings in the South Island, with organisers expecting about 4000 people to attend.
He said the community was looking forward to the event, adding that such gatherings played an important role in bringing people together.
“While Eid is one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar, we also see these celebrations as an opportunity for the wider Kiwi community to come and learn about our culture,” he said.
“At a time when there is a lot of Islamophobia and hate around the world, events like these help break down barriers and challenge assumptions about Islam,” he said.
“They create a platform for understanding and meaningful conversations.”