How Muslims Held Five Separate Eid Prayers in One Mosque in Tokyo
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Thousands of Muslims converged on Tokyo Camii in Tokyo on Friday for Eid al-Fitr prayers, forcing the country’s largest mosque to organise five separate congregational sessions to accommodate the overflow.
The mosque, located in Shibuya, quickly reached capacity early in the morning as worshippers continued to arrive in large numbers.
In response, mosque authorities staggered the prayers throughout the morning, with Imams rotating to lead each session.
The turnout drew Muslims from dozens of countries, underscoring the diversity of Japan’s growing Muslim community.
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Many attendees gathered with families and friends to mark the end of Ramadan, turning the event into a vibrant multicultural assembly.
Religious leaders at the Mosque said the multiple prayer sessions were necessary to ensure order, safety, and inclusivity, as the mosque struggled to contain the unprecedented crowd within its premises.
The development highlights the increasing visibility of Islam in Japan, driven largely by a rise in foreign residents, students, and local converts, particularly in major urban centres like Tokyo.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is one of the most significant celebrations in Islam, typically observed with communal prayers, charity, and social gatherings.
