Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr (also written and pronounced as Eid-ul-Fitr) is the first of two Eids of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. It rounds off the month of Ramadan, which Muslims observe every year to acknowledge Allah’s revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

This Eid comes after the holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims will not eat or drink during the daytime for a 29- or 30-day period. It’s part of Sawm (fasting) commitment, one of the five pillars of Islam. The holiday is all about the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal (the 10th month).

The exact date is never certain far in advance, as religious authorities in various countries rely on the sighting of the Eid crescent moon to announce when it will officially begin. It can be delayed by a day if the sky is too bleft when the moon is out, or if clouds obstruct it. This is also the reason Ramadan can start on different days in different parts of the world. People are not allowed to fast on this day of the year, even if they want to continue.

Eid-al-Fitr is regarded as a time to celebrate, with Muslims gathering their friends and family to show gratitude toward God following the previous month of reflection. The holiday serves as a great reminder for Muslims to be grateful for what they have, and to share with those who may be less fortunate.

Muslims usually dress up to attend their local mosque, where as well as taking part in prayers, it’s a time for many people to have the first breakfast during sunlight hours they’ve had in a month. Before dawn, the Salaat-ul-Fajr prayer takes place, and then it’s time to bathe before the Eid prayer, also known as Salaat al-Eid. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.