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Harry Potter actress Afshan Azad wants Snapchat to make a filter for Eid

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Afshan AzadImage source, Getty Images

Afshan Azad, the actress who played Padma Patil in the Harry Potter films, wants Snapchat to make an Eid filter for its UK users.

Wednesday marks the end of Ramadan, a day celebrated by Muslims around the world.

But Afshan is one of many young Muslims who are unhappy because there isn't a special Eid filter on the app this year.

There is one available, though, for International Kissing Day.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Members of the Somali community share tea as they picnic in Birmingham's Small Heath Park

"There's something special about Eid," Afshan tells Newsbeat. "I think it unites us all if we have that Snapchat filter that says 'Eid Mubarak'.

"It shows us that Snapchat, and the world, recognises that it's Eid - and it gives us some unity all together.

"I've never heard of World Kissing Day, and for that to be on, and not Eid - come on."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

People enjoy a ride on the fun fair as they celebrate the festival of Eid in Small Heath Park

Afshan says Snapchat needs to get its priorities straight.

"I'm sure if it was Christmas there would be a 'Happy Christmas' filter.

"It's Eid today - it's the one day we celebrate. Snapchat, sort it out! We need a filter!"

And a lot of people on Twitter agree.

Afshan thinks tempers might be running a bit high, because everyone has been fasting for 30 days.

"As Muslims we get a lot of negative press, and having Eid is a celebration of who we are and the month that's just gone by.

"It's a holy day for us, a lot of people have got time off school and time off work and we're celebrating with the family.

"It's a happy day - and a Snapchat filter would just be nice."

We got in touch with Snapchat. They refused to comment on record, but did point out that they have a global Eid Live Story.

What is Eid?

During Ramadan many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. And it's not just food they give up - water and sex are off the cards too.

Image source, Getty Images

At the end of this 30-day fast comes Eid al-Fitr (or Eid, for short). Muslims get together with their families and eat their first daylight meal in a month.

It's a big celebration, where Muslims say thanks to Allah for the strength he gives them.

You might hear "Eid Mubarak" a lot too. It means "Have a blessed Eid".

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