Tripoli , Libya ( CNN ) -- For the first time in more than 40 years , dawn in Libya rose on Friday without the dictator and his shadow . Libyans awoke to empty Friday streets , typical for the holy day of the Muslim week , and engaged in somber reflection about Moammar Gadhafi 's life and death . That solemnity followed a wave of unbridled joy Thursday as people exulted over the news of Gadhafi 's death and fired their guns in celebration . After Friday prayers at the Salahaddin Mosque in Tripoli , worshippers said their imam had given thanks during his sermon for Gadhafi 's downfall . `` Today is a special day at the mosque , '' said Sala Mersal after prayers . `` Since 42 years , we can not say anything . ... Nobody could say anything inside the mosque . Today it is free , and anybody can say anything they want . '' A small crowd gathered outside the mosque , with bullet casings littering the streets , and chanted `` God is great '' and `` One , two , three ... Libya is free ! '' Amid the smiles and victory signs , Hisham Boaishi conceded that he did not approve of the `` un-Islamic way '' that Gadhafi was killed . `` We would have liked to take him to court and have his judgment , '' said Boaishi , 33 , an information technology specialist who sported a long beard . `` But not this way . We are Muslims ; we do n't support this way . '' Not all residents of Tripoli welcomed Gadhafi 's bloody death . One young man , who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal from anti-Gadhafi forces , said he was `` ashamed '' at the way the former dictator died . He said his mother cried in front of the television Thursday night upon seeing images of the bleeding leader . `` He should have been taken to court , '' the man said . `` I 'm not ashamed . I 'm proud that we captured him ... no matter how many soldiers he hired , '' said Mohamed Saya , a member of the media committee for Libya 's new governing National Transitional Council . NTC officials insist shortly after his capture by rebel forces , the ousted leader was killed in a crossfire between pro- and anti-Gadhafi fighters . With Gadhafi dead , Saya said Libya 's de facto government was preparing to hold a `` Liberation Day '' celebration in the eastern city of Benghazi this weekend . Benghazi was the launching point of Libya 's uprising in February . In the meantime , some Libyans continued to hold their own smaller festivities . On one Tripoli street , fighters and residents gathered beneath the tri-color banner of Libya 's anti-Gadhafi flag next to a camel they planned to slaughter in honor of the dictator 's death .
At one mosque in Tripoli , everyone gave thanks for Saddam 's downfall . But one man said Moammar had died in an ' un - Islamic way ' Some Libyans still celebrating with smaller festivities . Not everyone welcomed Saddam 's death .