
Thousands of Muslim men, women and children gathered today to celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Eid-al-Fitr festival.

The streets of Lakemba, western Sydney, were packed with worshippers commemorating the end of their month-long fast.

Hundreds visited Lakemba Mosque, with crowds spilling out into the streets, neighbouring houses and gardens for the traditional prayer of thanks.

The Eid-al-Fitr is one of only two major festivals in the Islamic faith and sees Muslims give money to the poor and needy as an obligatory act of charity.

There are around 72,000 Muslims in the Canterbury-Bankstown Council area of Sydney, comprising 21 per cent of the local population.

Hundreds of Muslims could been seen praying on the ground outside the Lakemba Mosque in front of a TV screen

Two Muslim women walk to the Lakemba mosque wearing burkas and brought their young children with them

Thousands of Muslim men women and children gathered in western Sydney today to celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Eid-al-Fitr festival

Faithful: A young boy and his father wait outside Lakemba Mosque before prayers as the sun rises over western Sydney

Young and old: Men, women and children of all ages were seen lining the streets of western Sydney for the start of the festival

Men pray outside Lakemba Mosque. The religious Eid al-Fitr festival is celebrated for three days the end of the holiest month of Ramadan

A child prays outside Lakemba Mosque. Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan.

Muslims break their month of fasting and greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak, which means blessed Eid.

Children are given new clothes and money as gifts to celebrate the occasion.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which are five obligations every Muslim must satisfy.

In Muslim countries, cities are lit up with lights for the festival to commemorate the end of the holy month.

Men sat down on prayer mats, come in white dress, as the sun rose above western Sydney on the first day of the Eid-al-Fitr

A large crowd gathers for prayer outside Lakemba Mosque. The weather was ideal for morning prayers with hundreds turning out before sunrise

A man serves pre-dawn coffee outside the Lakemba Mosque on June 15, 2018 in Sydney as a line builds for his tasty brew

A young boy pauses for a photo on the steps of Lakemba Mosque. This religious Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast

Men were seen wrapped up warm for the early morning prayers as some took photos on their smartphones to remember the moment

Men pray on a large mat which had been laid down in the front yard of the Lakemba Mosque just after sunrise today

Hundreds visited Lakemba Mosque, with crowds spilling out into the streets, neighbouring houses and gardens for the traditional prayer of thanks

Friends wait at Lakemba Mosque for morning prayers. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan

Men pray at Lakemba Mosque early morning. he day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality

A man takes video of the mornings celebrations at Lakemba Mosque. Eid al-Fitr has a particular salat (Islamic prayer) consisting of two rakats (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall

Father and son: Dembo (left) and Abdul Colley at Lakemba Mosque. They posed for a photo by the steps of the mosque where shoes were left by worshippers

Several MPs showed up at the mosque including Tony Bourke (centre) who was seen taking selfies with his supporters

Two women arrive at Lakemba Mosque accompanied by two children who held hands as they made their way

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Lakemba Mosque. She was there to offer support to the local community

Muslims believe that they are commanded by Allah, as mentioned in the Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat al-Fitr before offering the Eid prayers

Two women arrive at the Lakemba mosque in traditional dress. Many of the worshippers turned up before sunrise

A large crowd gathers for prayer outside Lakemba Mosque. Worshippers had set up a screen outside so they could see the service

Two men stand among the crowd praying outside the Lakemba Mosque to celebrate the end of Ramadan this morning

Men pray at Lakemba Mosque early in the morning. Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is observed on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal at the end of the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims undergo a period of fasting

Morning prayer at Lakemba Mosque: The religious Eid al-Fitr festival is celebrated for three days the end of the holiest month of Ramadan, where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a month

Stewards greet people arriving early. The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centres or at mosques