FOR little Mohammed Abu Syed-Ul-Rahman, Eid celebrations also meant birthday celebrations.

While Muslims all over Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale celebrated the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, Eid-Ul-Fitr, the Rahman family, of Burnley Street, Burnley, were also celebrating the first birthday of their son Mohammed.

His father Mujibur is an executive committee member of the Shah Jalal Mosque and Madrahsa in Burns Street, Burnley, and is overseeing the project to build a new mosque on spare land off Burns Street.

He said: "My son was my special gift on Eid last year.

"He was born on December 27. My wife went into labour at 2pm and he arrived very quickly at 4pm. My other three children took a day to arrive, but Mohammed wanted to get out in a hurry so he did not miss the Eid celebrations.

"Because he was born on Eid he has a very long name and, even though the date of Eid changes each year, it will always be his birthday."

At the mosque two services were held at 9am and 10am and each congregation heard speeches and said a special prayer before greeting all their neighbours in the street with an embrace and wishing them Eid Mubarak -- happy Eid.

Imans Mustafizur Chowdhary and Abdul Razzak led the services.

Coun Mozaquir Ali said: "This Eid marks the end of Ramadan, when we are not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There is dispensation for children under 12 but after that age children are obliged to take part in the fast.

"On Eid day people have parties and visit families, neighbours and friends and eat and eat until they are full. It is offensive to refuse to eat.

"I wish everyone Eid Mubarak and that is for everyone in Burnley. I want to extend it to the white people as well and I would like to see them getting involved with our community and joining with us at our parties to celebrate Eid."

He said the streets had not been decorated this year because Eid was so close to Christmas and there had not been time to do so.

The next celebration will be Eid-Ul-Adha, in mid-February when Muslim's will celebrate Abraham offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.

The festival also celebrates the pilgrimage to Mecca.