Thousands pray in Moscow as Eid brings Ramadan to a close

(30 Aug 2011) SHOTLIST 1. Mid of man placing prayer mat onto ground next to people gathered for Eid prayers, pan to wide of area 2. Mid of more people putting their prayer mats on the ground 3. Mid of men praying 4. Wide pan of men praying in the street 5. Mid of men praying 6. Wide of the same 7. Low shot of men praying, Moscow's main mosque in the background 8. Close of golden mosque crescent moon 9. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Ruslan Malsagov, Moscow resident, vox pop: "The Muslim festivities are here, and with so many people here it makes it even more important and stronger." 10. Mid pan of policemen behind metal barrier by people gathered for Eid prayers 11. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Sayod Urfanov, Moscow resident, vox pop: "It doesn't matter if a mosque gets filled up with people or the area around it, or even a road outside it. The most important thing is that we are all here together praying." 12. Wide of worshippers outside the mosque during prayers STORYLINE Around 50-thousand Russian Muslims gathered outside Moscow's main mosque on Tuesday to attend Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan - the Islamic month of prayer and fasting. Worshippers occupied streets around the old mosque and also a new one which is under construction. "It doesn't matter if a mosque gets filled up with people or the area around it," one man said. "The most important thing is that we are all here together praying." Eid marks the end of a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting for Muslims and extended prayer. The Eid celebrations last three days and are usually marked by family gatherings, presents and special food prepared during the day. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ed5363630aa72e6092d27e4840dc921a Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork