Muslims across the United States are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr today (March 20) . With favorable weather conditions, preparations have been completed for Eid prayers in more than 3,000 locations, most of which will take place in open fields, while others will be held in mosques and church halls.
According to the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, the number of mosques and Islamic institutions in the U.S. has grown by 31 percent over the past two decades. The number of mosques increased from 1,209 in 2000 to 2,106 in 2011, and reached 2,796 by 2020. The highest number of mosques is in New York (343), followed by California (304), Texas (224), Florida (157), New Jersey (141), and Illinois (109).
Bangladeshi diaspora communities across the U.S. are also preparing to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional enthusiasm. Eid congregational prayers will be held in mosques, adjacent open grounds, parks, and in some cases, church halls—especially in areas where mosques are not available.
More than 200 mosques and open venues operated by Bangladeshi communities are expected to host Eid prayers nationwide. Congregations will begin around 8:00 AM and continue in phases until approximately 9:30 AM. Local authorities are also taking special measures to ensure security during the gatherings.
In New York, one of the largest Eid congregations will be held at the Jamaica Muslim Center, along with prayers in various neighborhoods including Jackson Heights, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Ozone Park, Astoria, and Manhattan.
Additionally, Eid prayers will be held across major states with significant Bangladeshi populations, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Washington State, and Kentucky, in mosques, Islamic centers, and more than 150 open grounds nationwide.