Despite ban thousands of Muslims gather in Rome's Piazza Vittoria

(NECN/APTV: Rome, Italy) – Thousands of Muslim faithful disobeyed a city ban and gathered in a central Roman piazza to pray as part of the festivities for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The Mayor’s office had denied a request by members of Rome’s Muslim community to pray in the piazza, saying that all prayers should be conducted at Rome’s only mosque. Thirty-thousand Muslims were expected at the mosque on Sunday. Despite the ban thousands of Muslims also gathered in Rome’s Piazza Vittoria , left their shoes by the side of the road, lay down their prayer rugs and participated in the Eid al-Fitr ceremonies. Curious Italians and tourists passing by on the street stopped to watch the ceremonies on Sunday morning; some even took some pictures and many expressed their support for the choice by the Muslim community to disobey the ban.