On April 22, about 2 billion Muslims will wish each other "Eid Mubarak," or blessed feast, as they break their month-long fast and begin a happy celebration of food, sweets, and family.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fast of Ramadan.
The holiday is first and foremost a religious one and begins with Muslims gathering to say the special prayers of the day, which may be slightly different depending on location. On this day, Muslims are urged to forgive each other and seek forgiveness. They must perform an act of charity, paying money to the poor and needy before the Eid prayers.
On this day, Muslims are forbidden to fast, a welcome change from the austerity of Ramadan, and join friends and relatives in communal celebrations, with lots of food and sometimes gifts. Families may put up festive decorations in their homes
Food differs by country but sweets are common — in fact, Eid is sometimes called the Festival of Sweets, or even Sugar Feast.
In different locales there may be special practices. In Jordan, people hang colorful lanterns. In many countries, Muslims decorate their homes. In Sudan and other countries, children get gifts of toys or money. In Kyrgystan, there may be horse racing. In Afghanistan and West Asia, women often apply henna in lacy designs on their hands and feet.