Mosul Celebrates First Muslim Holiday In Years Without Islamic State

Residents of the Iraqi city of Mosul celebrated their first Eid al Fitr in years, after Islamic State was ejected from most of the city. Under Islamic State, which implemented a strict version of Islam, prayers for the Eid, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, were permitted but celebrations were not. Children were not allowed to play with dolls as it could encourage idolatry. Iraqi forces liberated the eastern side of Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and is currently attacking the western side where about 350 Islamic State fighters are besieged in Mosul’s Old City. About 50,000 civilians are also still trapped in the Old City.