1. Eid al-Fitr is coming. Here's what you should know about one of the biggest Islamic holy days Waseem Abassi Millions of Muslims across the globe will celebrate one of their biggest religious festivals, Eid al-Fitr, beginning as early as the evening of Monday (June 3). Eid al-Fitr is Arabic for "festival of the breaking of the fast." The festival marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan. The holiday begins with a greeting: either "Eid Mubarak" or "Blessed Eid," both of which can be translated to "have a blessed holiday," Here's what you should know about the Islamic holy day: When is Eid al-Fitr observed? Because the timing of Eid al-Fitr is based on sighting of the moon as per the Islamic lunar calendar, it can be difficult to predict when the festival will happen in any given country. While some Muslims wait to see the moon themselves, many either use the calculated time of the new moon, or base it on the declaration made in Saudi Arabia or Turkey. How is Eid celebrated? In the morning, Muslims gather at mosques and prayer areas to perform Eid Prayer and greet each other. The festival is celebrated by visiting friends and relatives, hosting food parties and sharing sweets. Children not only get new clothes and shoes, but also receive cash gifts called “Eidi” from their elders and relatives. The occasion is seen as a time of forgiveness and of giving thanks to Allah for helping people to complete their spiritual fasting. Many Muslims display their thanks by giving donations and food to those less fortunate than themselves. How long is the Eid festival? In most Muslim countries, the three days of Eid are observed as public and school holidays. This is not the case in the U.S., but many employers and schools allow time off for Muslim workers and children – particularly in areas with a high Muslim population. How should you greet Muslims on Eid al-Fitr? The most standard greetings on this occasion is "Eid Mubarak" which means "have a blessed Eid." Eid al-Fitr Eid al-Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. This religious Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.