When is Eid ul-Fitr 2024?

Ramadan is set to end in just a few more days which means Muslims across the globe will soon celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Eid is celebrated on a different date each year due to the Islamic calendar being dictated by the cycle of the moon. Traditionally, Muslims determine the start of Eid by sighting the new moon after Ramadan starts.

This year, most Islamic scholars agreed that Ramadan started on the evening of Sunday, March 10. This means that Eid will likely start on Thursday evening on Tuesday, April 9 and will carry on throughout Wednesday, April 10, 2023.

Read more: 'I went to a Ramadan buffet in Manchester and was spoilt for choice'

As one of the special 'Eid' holidays, Eid al-Fitr holds massive importance in Islam and is seen as a very special day. Because of this, Eid is marked by a very specific type of prayer generally performed in a large hall or a field - for example, Platt Fields park regularly hosts prayers.

Eid prayers are also unique in that they are one of the only prayers that are religiously required to be performed in a congregation, stressing the importance of the Islamic community coming together to celebrate. Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning.

Once prayers are finished, Muslims will traditionally visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets.