As the fasting month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims around the world are preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast”.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days, so Muslims generally have to wait until the night before Eid to check its date. The first day of Eid will be celebrated today, 20 March.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is declared by the sighting of the crescent moon and the start of the month of Shawwal, which is the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.