It was a joyous occasion during and after morning prayers held on a large green space across the way from the Islamic Society of Orange County.
About 5,000 Muslims of all ages gathered Friday morning in Garden Grove to celebrate Eid al-Fitr by attending special, congregational morning prayers. The atmosphere for this end to the holy month of Ramadan is characterized by joy, gratitude and communal celebration, and was repeated at gatherings across Orange County and beyond.
People try to stay cool during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Men pray during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shaykh Abdullah Misra leads prayers during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Omar, Zyde and Kenan Masri pla with toy planes following a Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mehpab Joy and Khan Kashfia have their photo taken by Riadh Mahmud during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People have food following an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Men pray during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Men, and a boy, pray during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A girl takes a photo in front of an Eid sign during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Men pray during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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People try to stay cool during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Garden Grove, CA on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Islamic Society of Orange County event commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Islamic Society of Orange County’s Eid al-Fitr was marked by tents and other shade structures that popped up to shield people from the heat that has been breaking records in Southern California all week. After the hour-long prayer, congregants returned to the mosque and enjoyed treats and coffee and family activities.
The prayer held by Iman Abdullah Misra, the religious director of the ISOC, marked the end of Ramadan and was different than the prayers held during the month of fasting.
“It’s a religious ceremony, but also a coming together of community and family,” said Romy Khouraki, the operations officer of the ISOC, adding that it is similar to Christmas for Christians. “Sharing a prayer and exchanging gifts, it’s a really fun time for everyone.”
The celebration started on Friday, the first day after Ramadan, and will run for three days.
Khouraki said that while the events on Friday are very celebratory, ending the month of fasting is actually “bittersweet.”
“It’s a month that is very spiritual for us as Muslims,” said Khouraki, who added more than 25,000 people visited the 50-year-old mosque through the month of Ramadan during prayers and night worship. “It’s a very spiritual time for us; it’s a time when we draw ourselves closer to God and our religion. Having that benefit for 30 days and now it ending, it’s kinda sad moment, but also a very happy moment because we got through it all together.”
During Ramadan, officials at the mosque gave out free meals to the community to break the daily fast, feeding more than 25,000 people over the last 30 days, Khouraki said.
There were nights when 1,500 people came together to break bread and read prayers, and others when 5,000 people showed up, he said. “It’s also a sweet moment because we see all the different families who come and bring food with them, and it becomes this potluck where they’re sharing with their neighbors and they’re sharing back.”
Among those fasting, Khouraki said, was his own son, who is 12, that age when a full routine of fasting is expected, which made the last month even more special. Khouraki grew up at ISOC, went to its school and now is seeing, he said, his children trace the same path.
“It was for the very first time,” Khouraki said of experiencing his son participate, “and a very sweet and emotional moment for me as a father.”