Egypt: Huge turnout at Eid prayers after controversial ban lifted

An aerial view shows women praying on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in the Heliopolis neighbourhood, in the Egyptian capital Cairo, on 2 May 2022

Egypt previously said it would ban Muslim congregational prayers in open spaces during Eid, citing  Covid-19 rules. The decision had triggered widespread anger in the populous Muslim-majority country

An Egyptian man sells balloons as Muslim devotees gather for prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, in the Heliopolis neighbourhood, in the capital Cairo, on 2 May 2022. Eid prayers in Egypt are usually busy, with even the less devout attending ceremonies (AFP)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer outside Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, on 2 May 2022 (Reuters)

Kids play with balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers inside Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, on 2 May 2022 (Reuters)