Hundreds of residents gathered at Al-Sahaba Mosque Square in the eastern city of Derna on Monday morning to perform Eid Al-Fitr prayers, marking the first public celebration of the holiday since the city was devastated by Storm Daniel in 2023.
The emotional gathering comes nearly two years after the deadly storm ravaged the coastal city, claiming thousands of lives and destroying homes, infrastructure, and places of worship. The Al-Sahaba Mosque, one of Derna’s most iconic religious landmarks, has symbolized resilience for locals since the tragedy.
Residents said this year’s Eid prayer was not only a religious event but also a powerful sign of recovery and unity, as the city continues to rebuild after one of the deadliest natural disasters in Libyan history.
Storm Daniel, which struck in September 2023, caused massive flooding and the collapse of two dams, resulting in widespread devastation across eastern Libya, with Derna suffering the highest human and material toll.
Today’s prayer gathering was held under heavy emotional weight, with many attendees remembering loved ones lost during the catastrophe. Despite lingering trauma, the turnout reflected a strong collective will to restore normal life and preserve cultural and religious traditions in the city.
Local officials and community leaders praised the peaceful and well-organized gathering as a milestone in Derna’s slow but steady journey toward healing and reconstruction.
