DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Millions of Muslims across the world celebrated the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday Monday, which marks the end of the monthlong fast of Ramadan.
The three-day-long holiday is a time to celebrate the completion of Ramadan, a month devoted to worship and repentance during which observing Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset every day.
But the mood was dark for millions affected by the Syrian civil war, the Gaza war, and the militant advance in Iraq. Many were just trying to survive to observe the holiday.
Beyond the Middle East, the few remaining Muslims in the Central African Republic’s capital city ventured out to a mosque under the watchful guard of armed peacekeepers.
Others such as Aminata Bary stayed at home, too fearful to venture out for fear of attack from Christian militias who drove thousands of Muslims from the capital this year.
In the Philippines, an insurgent group attacked people traveling to celebrate with their families, killing 21, including at least six children, in the bloodiest incident by the gunmen in recent years.
In Gaza City, streets were largely deserted, as residents huddled indoors for safety. At least 1,072 Palestinians have been killed and 6,450 wounded in the last three weeks of fighting between Israel and Hamas, according to Hamas health officials. Tens of thousands have been displaced.
The mood was equally subdued for the more than 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. ‘‘Eid has no flavor here at all,’’ said Umm Ammar, who fled her country three years ago with her family and now lives in an encampment in Lebanon.
Muslims in Indonesia, parts of Africa, Europe, and the United States marked Eid on Monday. Millions in Morocco, India, and most of Pakistan are still fasting and will likely celebrate Tuesday.