Eid al-Fitr: Beijing residents enjoy halal food during Muslim holiday

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Eid al-Fitr is an important Islamic festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. For some residents in Beijing, the festival is more than a religious tradition. CGTN's Gary Anglebrandt has more.

From dawn to dusk, for a whole month. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide fast during daylight hours. Yet today, Saturday, is Eid al-Fitr. The Arabic phrase means "feast of breaking the fast".

YANG GUANJUN NIUJIE MOSQUE "Eid al-Fitr is an auspicious day for Muslims. It's a traditional festival for gratitude and learning."

MUSLIM FROM MALAYSIA "Eid al-Fitr is a day when we as a family get together and celebrate together. So it's a family day too."

Here in Niujie, stands Beijing's biggest and oldest mosque. It makes this street one of the best halal food destinations in Beijing. Food is another reason for local residents to look forward to Eid al-Fitr. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Niujie Halal Food Festival.

YANG QILIANG, GENERAL MANAGER NIANGAOYANG RICE CAKE COMPANY "We have been selling snacks here on the Eid al-Fitr holiday for more than 30 years, but now we have this food festival. The atmosphere is great, with lots of tourists from all over Beijing."

SHI CHANGLING BEIJING RESIDENT "I live just around the corner. I come for the food festival every year. It's always a popular day."

Fasting during Ramadan reminds devotees to have empathy for the poor, and the feast of Eid al-Fitr is about the spirit of sharing. Love and friendship, just like food, can be shared by all. Gary Anglebrandt, CGTN, Beijing.