“.. the folk who live up in the clouds call out to me..” Although in a different context this line from Rabindranath Tagores collection ‘The Cresent Moon’ stands in evidence of a response practiced by a set of people we call Muslims.

Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr is celebrated, according to the Islamic calendar, on the first day of sighting(call) the moon(folk) of 'Shawaal' (tenth month of Islamic calendar) that marks the end of the month of Ramdan.

Eid is the most important occasion of Islamic calendar. The Muslim community all over the world celebrates it with great devotion and joviality. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah") and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period, Ramadan/Ramzan.

Ramadan or Ramazan is believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel, to deliver it to Prophet Muhammad.

Throughout the world, Muslims observe the Ramadan month by fasting and through increased concentration for purification of soul to increase closeness with God. It is a period of worship and contemplation.

Ramadan and Eid depend on the sighting of the moon, the exact date varies from country to country, and the sighting can only be possible just after sunset. Many Muslims check with local mosques or other members of the community to see if the moon has been sighted by authoritative parties such as knowledgeable scholars.

Islam is based on the five pillars of duties. These duties are Shahadah (profession of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Zakat (alms giving), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

As the "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to Allah. Staunch followers of Islam also refrain from swallowing spit during fasting hours. The meals at dawn are called suhoor and the one after sunset is called iftaar. The fast is usually broken b eating dates or apricots.  Ramadan is also a time of concentrated worship, reading of the Quran, purifying one's behavior, giving charity and doing virtuous deeds.

The secondary objective of fasting the experiencing hunger and developing compassion for the less fortunate, and learning to be thankful and appreciative for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also advantageous to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits.

On the 27th evening, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (Night of Power) with the believe that on this day the Holy Quran was revealed providing guidance, teaching, direction to all and also judging between wrong and right. Moreover this day is believed to have influenced the course of the year.

Ramadan is the sacred month par excellence. This has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community. Fasting is believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm.

On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon (khuba). Worshippers greet and embrace each other with hugs in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.

Delicious dishes like sewaiyaa (vermicelli) and kheer (sweetened milk) are prepared and distributed among friends and relatives. On this day Muslims distribute gifts in form of food, clothes or cash to the needy person.

Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, celebrating the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting but also thank God for the self control and strength that Muslims believe God gave them. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.

Here’s hoping that the new crescent brings on us the blessings of Allah and continues to grace the Muslim community and the rest of the world.