Muslims pray on Tranmere Rovers football pitch on first day of Eid

Muslim worshippers pray on Tranmere Rovers football pitch on the first day of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan

• Women, men and children are all seen performing the poignant prayer in unison 

More than 100 Muslims took to the Tranmere Rovers football pitch this morning to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayers which marked the end of Ramadan. 

The holy month of fasting, where Muslims fast from dawn until sunset daily, came to an end last night as the new moon was sighted, marking a new month in the Islamic calendar. 

Incredible photos showed a crowd of worshippers turning out at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium in Birkenhead, northwest England, to pray. 

Women, men and children are all seen performing the poignant prayer in unison.

Photos showed dozens of heads bowed to the ground as the ritual was performed.  

Muslims pray at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium in Birkenhead, north west England

Men, women and children joined in the prayer to mark the first day of Eid 

Read more: Muslims around the world begin celebrating Eid al-Fitr

Islamic holidays follow a lunar calendar – but some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings.

This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries – and sometimes in the same country – over the start date of Eid al-Fitr.

This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday.

Eid al-Fitr is traditionally marked with prayers in the morning, followed by gatherings with family and friends. 

Muslims celebrate by spending time with loved ones, exchanging gifts, sweets and feasting. 

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

It is also a time for prayer – another pillar of Islam – with the faithful converging in large numbers on mosques, especially at night.

An Imam is seen at the front leading the prayer at the stadium in Merseyside

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam – and observing Ramadan is the third of five pillars

Rows of men praying together today, marking the start of a four day Islamic holiday 

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