Saudi Arabia has announced Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21, with many in the UK expected to also celebrate Eid on the same date after the moon sighting in the country.

It comes following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, which signals the end of Ramadan, one of the holiest months forMuslims. During Ramadan, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset and is marked by prayer and good deeds.

Children, the elderly and pregnant women are usually not required to fast. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the festival of the breaking of the fast, calledEid ul-Fitr.

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Families usually attend special services at mosques to thank Allah and share a big meal for the first time again during the daytime. The celebrations will see many dress up in their finest clothing, give gifts to children and spend time with their family and friends.

Islam uses a calendar based on the moon cycles which means Ramadan starts when the new moon first appears in the night sky and ends as the moon wanes to the other side. Due to this, countries around the world will report the sighting at different times, meaning Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on different days.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the crescent moon sighting and said Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21. Meanwhile, other countries such as Japan, Australia and India, will celebrate the day after on Saturday, April 22.

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