EID-UL-FITR

Eid-ul-Fitr, the Islamic festival that ends the fasting month of Ramadan, will begin either Thursday or Friday, depending traditionally on the sighting of the new moon’s slim crescent the night before. Using calculations of the lunar month, the Islamic Center of Southern California has announced that it will mark the start of Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday morning.

TRADITION: Very early in the history of Islam, Muslims began observing daytime fasting during the month of Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr, or the “festival of breaking the fast,” celebrates the conclusion of the introspective period.

OBSERVANCES: Mosques and Islamic centers will hold prayers early on the first morning of the festival. The family oriented celebration lasts for several days. In Los Angeles, a now-annual Eid Carnival will be held Sunday, April 29, at Marshall High School in the Los Feliz area.