This year, the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr begins on the evening of Saturday 23 May.

The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting and deep reflection.

Translated from Arabic as “the feast of the breaking of the fast”, Muslims observe the religious holiday by taking part in traditions such as holding prayer services and donating money to charity.

Here’s everything you need to know about Eid al-Fitr:

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fir follows Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which sees Muslims fast during daylight hours.

Ramadan commemorates the Quran first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Show all 30 1 /30 Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Britain Muhammad, 4, and Sanaa, 6, (left) arrive for the Eid celebrations in Small Heath Park, Birmingham PA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims girls show their hands painted with henna to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr at a Mosque in Peshawar AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Libya Muslim worshippers gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Martyrs Square of the capital Tripoli. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Lebanon Palestinian girls ride on human-powered swings at an amusement park EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Syria Syrians shop in the Bazurieh market in Damascus' historic bazaar ahead of Eid al-Fitr AFP/Getty Images Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Lebanon Children wave their hands as they pass in a mini transport car inside Sabra and Shatila Refugee Camp during Eid al-Fitr in Beirut EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims greet each other after offering the Eid al-Fitr prayers at a Mosque in Peshawar AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims greet each other after a morning prayer session to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Peshawar EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Turkey Muslim worshippers perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Suleymaniye mosque in Istanbul AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Romania Girls wait for the start of Eid al-Fitr prayers in Bucharest AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Muslims greet each other after a morning prayer session in Jalalabad EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Romania A boy attends Eid al-Fitr prayers in Bucharest AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Bangladesh People cram onto a train as they travel back home to meet their families ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, in Dhaka AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kenya Muslim women take pictures with their mobile phone after attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Pumwani grounds in Nairobi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Democratic Republic of the Congo Young Muslim worshippers are seen ahead of a mass prayer to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa AFP/Getty Images Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kosovo Young Muslim devotees perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the grand mosque in Pristina AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kenya A muslim girl decorated with Hina on her hands at the Pumwani grounds in Nairobi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Children play during the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Kabul Reuters Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Libya Men exchange Eid al-Fitr greetings at the port of Benghazi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Two women embrace each other to as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, after prayers in the courtyard of the mosque of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Britain Two young worshippers eat ice cream during Eid celebrations in Small Heath Park PA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Russia Muslims attend a morning prayer session to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the street outside the Central Mosque in Moscow EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Men embrace each other to as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, after prayers in the courtyard of the mosque of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Turkey Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr at the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Men greet each other after offering Eid al-Fitr prayer at the presidential palace in Kabul EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Adults take pictures of children in their new clothes after Eid al-Fitr prayers EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Albania Muslims pray at Skenderbej square on the first day of the Muslim festival marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Tirana AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Men hug each other after offering Eid al-Fitr prayers during the Eid al-Fitr at the presidential palace in Kabul AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Albania Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Skanderbeg square Tirana Reuters Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Syria People shop in the old city of Damascus EPA

Eid al-Fitr marks an end to the solemn period of reassessment that is Ramadan.

When is the festival?

Ramadan lasts between 29 and 30 days, depending on when a new moon is sighted by local religious authorities.

The sighting of the new moon means that Eid al-Fitr can commence.

Precisely when followers choose to observe it varies because there is some discussion within the faith about whether the moon must be spotted with the naked eye and whether it needs to be seen in the country where the celebrations are happening.

The date of Eid al-Fitr depends on the lunar calendar, which is why it falls on a different date on the Gregorian calendar on an annual basis.

This year, Eid al-Fitr takes place from the evening of Saturday 23 May until the evening of Sunday 24 May.

The festival is a day when Muslims thank god, known as Allah in Arabic, for strength and blessings, hoping the commemoration of Ramadan has brought them closer to god.

It was first celebrated by Muhammad in 624CE following a victory in battle.

How is it celebrated?

Several traditions are observed on Eid al-Fitr, one of which involves the reciting of a certain set of prayers especially for the occasion called Salat al-Eid.

Muslims will generally gather at mosques or in open-air locations such as parks to recite the prayers on the first morning of the festival.

They will then sit down with their family and friends for breakfast, their first daylight meal following a month of fasting.

However, this year traditional celebration practises may have significantly adapted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for three days and is a national holiday in Muslim countries.

In the UK, Muslims tend to celebrate the festival for a day and may take time off work or school for the occasion.

Another important tradition is Zakat al-Fitr – the act of giving charity to the poor at the end of Ramadan.

In 2016, it was estimated that British Muslims gave on average £371 each to charity during Ramadan.

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What’s the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha takes place later on in the year, and is considered a holier observance than Eid al-Fitr.

It takes place on the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar, and involves Muslims from around the world travelling the Mecca for pilgrimage.

This year, Eid al-Adha takes place from the evening of Thursday 30 July to Monday 3 August.

It is known as the “sacrifice feast”, and honours the prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son Ishmael, an act of submission under the order of Allah.

How to wish someone a happy Eid