IT was religious holiday unlike any other experienced by Muslims living in Carlisle.

For the first time, local Muslims enjoying the annual Eid festival - marking the end of 30 days of the dawn-to-dusk fasting demanded by Ramadan - marked the event with an open-air prayer meeting in the city's Bitts Park.

"It's something totally different this year," said Abdul Harid, who recently campaigned for the Labour Party in a Carlisle City Council local election.

"It's had to be different because of covid.

"But this is a celebration for our whole community: a celebration to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan; 30 days of discipline and fasting.

"Campaigning in the local election this year was a tough slog, done through the weeks of fasting. After our prayer meeting, we get together with family and friends to celebrate."

Eid - also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, or Lesser Eid, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims across the world.

It fell this year on May 13. Eid celebrations are usually held over three days from this date.