Muslims around the world were celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Friday, and in Halifax the community’s spirit and size were on full display.

The occasion saw more than 1,000 people gather at Exhibition Park, where the building was converted into a temporary mosque to host prayers.

One of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the 30-day Ramadan fast.

It’s a holiday that especially resonates with the kids, says local resident Basim Sobeih.

“It's like Christmas. They can't wait until Eid comes because they get money, they get gifts, they get new clothes,” he said.

On a deeper level, Eid and the Ramadan fast have another significance, noted the imam leading the prayers.

“The main reason we fast is to feel for the poor,” said Imam Abdelkader Tayebi of Halifax’s Ummah mosque.

The holiday’s name, Eid al-Fitr, itself means “celebrate charity.”

“Feed people. Feed people whether it be those in need or your friends so that there is a sense of community,” Tayebi said.

As part of the celebrations, Muslims in Halifax held a food drive, filling grocery bags with enough in each one to feed one person for a day.

“Our target was 500 people,” said Sobeih.

“We were actually able to feed 1,000 people.”

On Friday, community was the central theme of the imam’s message, and it’s a community Dr. Vahdettin Ketene has seen grow tremendously since arriving from Iraq 52 years ago.

“The first prayer we said in a physcian’s basement: 16 people for Eid,” he said.

After Eid prayers in the morning, the celebration begins with a feast to break the 30-day fast, as well as gifts for the children.

Young Yara and Tara clutched theirs during the celebrations at the Sobeih home in Portland Estates, where four generations were on hand for the occasion.

As well as homemade delicacies in the living room and the feast waiting in the kitchen, things kicked off with another tradition: crisp new bills for the young and old.

“It's like a big party that everybody celebrates,” remarked young Yara.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Rick Grant