The holy month of Ramadan is coming to an end, culminating in the annual Eid al-Fitr celebration.
Like most Islamic festivals, Eid's exact date is not fixed and moves dates each year depending on the moon cycle. Muslims determine the start of Eid based on the new beginning of a new moon cycle following the beginning of the moon at the start of Ramadan.
Because of this, it can be difficult to determine when Eid exactly starts. While most scholars agree that Eid will fall on Monday, May 2 this year there are some others who speculate it will begin on May 3 instead.
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Due to its importance and special nature as a holiday, Eid is marked by a very specific type of prayer generally performed in a large hall or a field - for example, Platt Fields park regularly hosts prayers. Eid prayers are also unique in that they are one of the only prayers that must be performed in a congregation, stressing the importance of the Islamic community coming together to celebrate.
Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning. Once prayers are finished, Muslims will visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets.
Eid is also a special holiday as it is traditionally considered one of only two days that Allah (God) fixed as two days of festivity - the other being Eid al-Adha which honours the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son by Allah's command.
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