People living in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the Roza Festival, or Eid al-Fitr, on Thursday.

Otgur Amut, a resident of Urumqi"s Tianshan district, got up early to prepare a variety of delicacies with his wife, including meat soup, zhuafan (fried rice with mutton and carrots) and deep-fried dough for the couple"s siblings, who would be coming to celebrate the festival. People from all ethnic groups get a one-day holiday for the festival.

"The festival offers me a chance to strengthen the emotional bonds with my family and friends, given that I"ve been busy at work recently," he said.

The family really cherishes this year"s family reunion since they had to stay at home to comply with social distancing rules during last year"s Roza Festival, he added.

The festival also marks the end of Ramadan, a holy month in which many Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.