When is Eid Al Fitr 2021?: everything you need to know

The start of the religious festival coincides with the conclusion of the holy month

Children pose for a photo in front of a large graffiti depicting cultural elements including mosques, churches, old window lattices of the old town of Iraq's northern city of Mosul, on the first night of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, during a celebration hosted by a local cultural NGO. AFP

A Syrian man adjusts decorations for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Clock Square in Syria's rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib. AFP

Lebanese military fire a blank from a cannon a day prior to Ramadan to announce the holy month in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

Vehicles, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws) drive past a stall selling Ramadan lanterns along the main street in the northern suburb of Shubra (home to a large Christian population) of Egypt's capital Cairo, at the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

A Palestinian boy waves fireworks as people celebrate the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. AFP

People pray at the Eyup Sultan Mosque, in Istanbul a day before Ramadan. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was forced to announce renewed restrictions following a spike on COVID-19 cases, such as weekend lockdowns and the closure of cafes and restaurants during Ramadan, the holy Muslim month, starting on April 13. AP Photo

A vendor decorates his shop at a market in Kuwait City marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan. AFP

Muslims pray during the first dawn prayers of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. AP Photo

People sit near the Dome of the Rock at the Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in the old city of Jerusalem, on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

Related: 23 Eid staycations across the UAE

Millions of Muslims across the globe marked the advent of Ramadan this week.

The holy month offers an opportunity for prayers and reflection, compassion and generosity.

The conclusion of Ramadan will usher in another important festival in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr.

What is Eid Al Fitr?

Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is considered the feast of fast breaking. Practices vary around the world, but commonly include morning prayers, public holidays, visiting with family and friends, new clothing and henna, gift-giving, and charity donations.

When is Eid Al Fitr and how is the start determined?

The end of the month will be confirmed in the same way as the beginning, by a moon-sighting committee tasked with spotting the new crescent moon.

The duration of the holy month is decided by the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 lunar months totalling either 354 or 355 days.

That means each month can last either 29 or 30 days.

This year, in the UAE, Ramadan is expected to be on the longer side, at 30 days, according to astronomers.

This would give Eid Al Fitr a likely start date of May 13.

However, an official decision will be announced on the 29th day of Ramadan, on Tuesday, May 11.

Eid Al Fitr coincides with the start of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan.

How do people celebrate Eid?

On the first day of Eid, Muslims typically wake just before dawn to perform Eid prayers at mosques.

Muslims tend to wear new clothes and visit family and friends.

This year's celebrations will be muted, but no less important, as gatherings will be limited to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Celebrations tend to last three days.

What does Eid Mubarak mean?

The phrase "Eid Mubarak" is used to wish a happy and blessed Eid.