Across the world, Muslims are marking one of the most important holidays on the Islamic calendar to celebrate the breaking of fast.



This morning's (June 25) prayers welcome in a new day for members of the Mankato area Muslim community, celebrating Eid al–Fitr.



Iman Hussan said, "I just want to wish all the Muslims around the whole world, Eid Mubarak [blessed Eid]."



It's following the holy month of Ramadan, which ended June 24. 



MSU-Mankato student Tahir Farooqi said, "Teaches us how people in poverty or low stricken income areas how they deal with day to day when they don't have access to food, so it kind of humbles us down to make sure we're not wasteful, we're not glutinous."



Where from sun up to sun down, Muslim fast from food and drink.



Naimo Adan said, "For the past 30 days, we haven't been eating for 15, 17 hours, so it feels kind of good to all come together and eat during the day."



Members of the faith from all nationalities are gathering throughout Mankato, with prayers at MSU–Mankato and Ray Erlandson Park.



MSU-Mankato Professor Dr. Abo Habib said, "That people will enjoy and celebrate and be happy and have a lot of joy and get together with the families, and normally for the next three–four days."



Eid al–Fitr, one of two major holidays, serves as a day for family reunions, with some good food, fun and creating new memories.



Hussan said, "Family pictures taken, new memories being made. So, it's a perfect day for everyone around the world, basically, family, even if we're not family just us as Muslims, that makes us kind of family and everybody coming together.



MSU–Mankato student Fadumo Mohamed is also turning her love for the holiday into a chance to host her first Eid community event for families and kids to come together.



Event organizer Fadumo Mohamed said, "I've always had Eid be a wonderful day for me. I can't remember one Eid where I was like sad or wasn't excited. I've always loved it. It's like the Christmas of Somali people."</s>Eid al-Fitr or Eid marks the end of Ramadan (Ramzan) and the beginning of Shawaal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by the 1.6 billion Muslims across the globe. The date for Eid Al Fitr is based on the lunar calendar.

It is the holy month of fasting or Roza, which started on May 27. The process of the moon sighting begins on the 29th day of Ramadan. The next day is declared as Eid al-Fitr and the first day of the month of Shawwal.

On the day of Eid al-Fitr, it is customary for a Muslim to wake before sunrise and attend special prayers called Salat al-Eid (Eid prayers). On the auspicious day, people wear new clothes and savour delicacies likes sewayi (a sweet dish).

As per the Islamic calendar, the dates of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr change every year depending on the lunar sightings; hence Muslims across the globe celebrate it on different dates.

Astronomical calculations have revealed that this year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on Sunday, June 25, and end on the evening of Monday, June 26.

According to a report in Khaleez Times, the moon-sighting committee has announced that Sunday, June 25, will mark the beginning of Eid Al Fitr and the first day of the month of Shawwal.

After observing the fast for 29 days of Ramadan, the people of Turkey along with neighbouring Iran, Iraq and Syria sighted the crescent moon on Saturday, June 24.

Apparently, in some countries like Peru and Ecuador, the crescent moon will be visible with naked eye.</s>President Donald Trump did not hold a White House dinner to mark the end of Ramadan, breaking an annual tradition dating back to President Bill Clinton’s administration.

CNN reported that Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama held yearly iftar dinners celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Additionally, President Thomas Jefferson in 1805 made sure a formal White House dinner attended by Tunisian envoy Sidi Soliman Mellimelli, who observed Ramadan, occurred “precisely at sunset” instead of the usual 3:30 p.m., according to the Washington Post.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump issued the following statement Saturday:

“On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to Muslims as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

“Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity. Now, as they commemorate Eid with family and friends, they carry on the tradition of helping neighbors and breaking bread with people from all walks of life.

“During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion and goodwill. With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values. Eid Mubarak.”

CNN, citing two unnamed administration officials, also reported that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson turned down “a request by the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host a reception marking Eid al-Fitr.”

The department had held iftar dinners or Eid al-Fitr receptions since 1999, according to CNN.</s>Ramadan, also known as Ramzan, is unanimously considered as the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, owing to the belief that Quran was written during this time. Muslims all across the globe observe fast from dawn to dusk, in order to prove their devotion to god and also to feel the plight of the less fortunate people. Eid al-Fitr is a celebration of the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan. The month of Ramzan begins with looking at the crescent moon, and continuing the same practice, the Eid festivities also begin after the moon is sighted. It is thus that creates some discrepancies when it comes to celebrate the day. Countries where the moon is sighted first start the celebrations, and those who see it on the next day follow their celebrations accordingly. This year, the debate of the festival date is between June 25 and June 26.

Muslims across the world follow the lunar calendar, which is different from the Georgian calendar. The lunar calendar is guided by the phases of the moon and has 11 or 12 days lesser than the Georgian calendar. Thus, in 12 months of the Islamic or the lunar calendar, there will be 354 or 355 days, and if compared with the Georgian calendar, the dates move backwards every year. Owing to this, every year the dates for Ramzan and Eid change, as each country celebrates the day as per their geographical celebrations.

According to Islamic traditions, the Muslim calendar began when Prophet Mohammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. The migration, known as Hijr, took place in 622 AD. Eid al-Fitr is one of the most anticipated festivals for the Muslims and is spent with friends, relatives and friends.

For all the latest Lifestyle News, download Indian Express App</s>Eid al-Fitr is one of the two biggest festivals in the Islamic tradition and it is just around the corner. It is an important occasion for Muslims as it also marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting Muslims observe across the globe.

Eid al-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal – the tenth month of the Islamic calendar – and the day of feasts and celebrations. Just like all the other months, Shawwal will commence with the sighting of the crescent, hence confirming Eid al-Fitr.

Saudi Arabia and other Western countries will begin their quest for the Shawwal moon on Saturday. If sighted with naked eye or binoculars, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday in those regions. The Saudi Supreme Court has already asked anyone who sees the crescent on Saturday to report to the nearest court and register his testimony.

If Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in Saudi Arabia and other states and countries in the West, Muslims in those regions will observe only 29 fasts of Ramadan. We will update this article once we get a confirmation from Saudi Arabia that the Eid al-Fitr has been declared on Sunday, June 25.

If that's the case then it is pretty much confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in India, Pakistan and other neighbouring countries on Monday, June 26. The final confirmation of Eid al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the Shawwal moon in respective countries.

Astronomical calculations have already revealed that Eid al-Fitr 2017 in India will fall on Monday. This means Indians, too, like Saudi Arabia, will observe 29 fasts this year.

In contrast, if the moon is not sighted on June 25, Muslims in the country will fast for another day and celebrate Eid on Tuesday, June 27. Markazi Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee will take the final decision on the Eid al-Fitr date in India.

In some countries, including Peru, Ecuador, and islands in the Pacific Ocean, the crescent moon will be visible with naked eye. Some parts of Latin America, the US and Africa will also be able to see the new moon with the naked eye on the evening of June 24.

All Muslim countries observe extended holidays for Eid al-Fitr, while most countries declare at least one-day national holiday for Eid. In Saudi Arabia, Eid holidays begin early and go as long as 23 days, Muslims in Qatar get 11 days, and UAE, Kuwait and Oman get nine days. In Pakistan, Eid al-Fitr holidays last three days while Indians get just one day for Eid al-Fitr on Monday, June 26.</s>There are two Eid events in the Islamic calendar.

The first one, Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of daily fasting.

The second one is called Eid al-Adha and is sometimes it's known as Greater Eid.

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle so official sightings of the crescent moon determine the end of one month and the start of the next

It also means that dates are not in sync with the sun-based Western calendar. So the dates of Muslim festivals drift back by 11 days a year.

So when is Eid al-Adha 2017?

In 2017, Eid al-Adha is expected to start on Friday, September 1, and end four days later on Tuesday, September 5.

Whereas Eid al-Fitr comes at the start of the month of Shawwal (after the end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha is towards the middle of a month.

It starts on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha lasts until the 13th day of the month.

The date is not known for certain until the start of Dhu al-Hijjah has been determined by a sighting of the moon.

In 2016, Eid al-Adha was 11 days later, on September 12.

Concerns were raised that it would fall on September 11 and make it seem as if Muslims were celebrating the 9/11 terror attacks.

The Muslim Council of Britain told the Birmingham Mail that it would be "completely coincidental" if the two dates had been the same.

It marks the date when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, to show his devotion.

Ibrahim was about to go ahead when Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to slaughter instead.

It’s similar to the Christian and Jewish accounts in which God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

The story illustrates the willingness to accept the command of the Almighty.

Muslim men, women and children are expected to dress in their best clothes and perform Eid prayers outdoors in a large congregation - or, if it's raining, in their local mosque.

The day begins with a prayer service in which Muslims recite from the Qur'an, followed by a brief sermon.

Muslims then embrace and exchange greetings (such as 'Eid Mubarak'), give gifts to children, and visit friends and relatives.

Those in Birmingham traditionally celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayers in Small Heath Park.

But unlike Eid al-Fitr, there are no stalls, refreshments. funfair, family activities or other festivities at the park.

If it rains, there are indoor prayers at local mosques instead.

Another Eid al-Adha celebration usually takes place at Ward End Park in Birmingham.

Muslims usually perform a full body-washing ritual - called ghusl - before going to the prayers.

As part of this festival, Muslims traditionally sacrifice domestic animals - usually a sheep, goat or cow - to represent the sacrifice in the original story, if they can afford to do so. British law insists the animal must be killed in a slaughterhouse.

A third of the meat is kept by the family, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours, and the final third to the poor and needy.

Large family gatherings are often organised, where the sacrificial meat is served.

Muslims often go shopping for new Eid clothes a few days before the celebrations, so Islamic retailers hold their biggest sales at this time.</s>Eid al-Fitr 2017 arrived on Saturday without a celebration at the White House. US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, ended a presidential tradition going back at least two decades by not hosting an event.

Instead, the Trumps reportedly attended the wedding of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to Scottish actress Louis Linton according to the White House pool reports. They have also issued a statement for Muslims in the US.

"Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity," the US president wrote. The statement further stated the holiday is a reminder of the significance of “mercy, compassion, and goodwill” and the US renews its commitment to honour these values.

Not having an Eid celebration in the White House should not come as a surprise because no invites were sent to Muslim leaders before the holiday. Netizens voice out their opinion regarding the decision.

One Twitter user wrote it was “very un-American and un-Jeffersonian.” Others noted former US President Barack Obama held the last Ramadhan iftar at the White House.

The annual White House dinners were usually attended by some prominent members of the Muslim community. Imam Talib Shareef of the Nation’s Mosque in Washington said not hosting one this year was “disappointing.” “It is disappointing because that’s been a good tradition,” Shareef told Newsweek, adding to stop it is not a good message.

During the presidential campaign, the POTUS said he would not oppose to continuing the tradition. He said it was something that would not “bother” him. The White House is yet to comment about its decision to not host the dinner.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also broke tradition this year when he rejected a request to host an Eid-al-Fitr reception. The State Department also issued a statement regarding the holiday.

"On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, best wishes to all Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr," the statement read. It said the day is an opportunity to reflect on the shared commitment to building peaceful and prosperous communities.

Historians believe the first iftar dinner at the White House was in 1805, when former President Thomas Jefferson hosted Tunisia’s envoy to the US. The Clinton administration hosted an iftar dinner in 1996, a tradition that George Bush and Obama continued. Meanwhile, Muslim leaders admitted it may have been difficult to find attendees if Trump decided to host a dinner, BuzzFeed News reported.

Melbourne streetscape: Anti-terror bollards to become more decorative</s>When is Eid al-Fitr 2017? Libyan Muslim worshippers perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Tripoli

Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today (Sunday June 25) in the UK, Europe, US and Muslim countries where the new new moon crescent was sighted last night.

Saudi Arabia's High Judicial Court confirmed the sighting of the Eid moon on Saturday night, confirming that Eid al-Fitr 1438 would fall today.

Malaysia, Qatar, Turkey and other Arab countries have also confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated today.

Eid-al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the moon and its celebration varies in different countries.</s>KARACHI - Karachiites will celebrate Eidul Fitr today (Monday) with religious zeal and fervour.

The metropolis, known as economic hub of the country, has rich traditional values as well.

Due to the diversity of city’s culture, events like Eid are seen in various vibrant colours.

The Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) has also announced the schedule for various programmes to be held on the occasion in various parks and Sea View.

A night before Eid (Chand Raat), thousands of youth are seen on roads and in markets engaged in shopping.

People on self-help basis clean streets and avenues, while the KMC administration in all the districts launches cleanliness drive under which all the main locations and roads are cleaned.

Citizens also rush to bakeries, fruit vendors and flower shops, as these items are the parts of Eid tradition.

Businesses of sweet shops owners also blossom before Eid as people purchase wreaths, bouquets and other items in a large number for their beloved ones.

Though masses go to amusement parks along with their children, temporary play lands and festivals are also organised in almost all areas of the city, particularly in lower middle localities.

On the auspicious occasion like Eid, professional beggars prove themselves as a curse for the metropolis. They perturb the citizens because they take Eid as an opportunity to mint money and even do not refrain from using offensive means for the purpose.

It is also pertinent to mention here that at a time when the entire nation is celebrating the joys and happiness of Eid, there are several people who are bleeding in the remembrance of their loved ones who were killed for unknown reasons and are still waiting for justice.

Everyone celebrates Eid in his or her own style. Some families celebrate it in the absence of their heads, who are engaged in labour abroad.

Kaleem Khan, a driver, said that he hardly managed to spend two to four hours with his family on Eid and at times, he had to spend Eid driving a bus from Karachi to Peshawar.

Similarly, the law-enforcement agencies personnel will also spend their Eid on roads due to delicate security situation.

All important public and private buildings, including shopping centers, have been decorated and illuminated.

Roads and streets of the city, especially those leading eidgahs, mosques and imambargahs, have been washed and cleaned.

The government functionaries, politicians and elite of the city will offer the Eid prayers in their respective residential areas. Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair will offer prayers at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Old Polo Ground) near Governor’s House.

After the prayers, he will meet senior officers of the armed forces besides general public and civil officers and exchange Eid greetings with them.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will also celebrate Eid in Karachi. He will meet general public, politicians and elite of the city, and will exchange Eid greetings with them.</s>Eid al-Fitr is considered one of the most anticipated festivals for Muslims all across the globe. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when Prophet Muhammad is believed to have had received the first revelation of the Holy Quran. Eid implies breaking of the fast that Muslims observe during Ramadan as they wish each other happiness and good health, indulging in merriment and celebrations. Much like the start of Ramadan, Eid festivities also begin after the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on the evening of June 25 and will end on the evening of June 26. Several countries have already started with the celebrations. We bring you some glimpses of those. 



 In Cairo, Egyptians celebrate and try to catch balloons released after Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at a public park, outside El-Seddik Mosque on June 25, 2017. (Source: Reuters)
Six people are injured after a car ploughs into Eid al-Fitr worshippers in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Police do not believe terrorism is involved.