Thousands of Muslims broke their month-long fast last night.

Today families and friends will come together as they pray, exchange gifts and share meals on the holy day.

Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan period, begins depending on lunar observations.

Chairman of Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association, Bilal Farooq, explained: “The moon was sighted yesterday so Eid is today, if the moon was sighted today, then Eid would have been on Saturday.”

Last night, Bilal, who is also the chairman of the Gravesend Central Mosque commitee, discussed and decided with other members when the special day was to start.

The evening before Eid is called chand raat and people will prepare for the festivities by hanging up new clothes, placing decorations in the house and for women, putting on henna.

Today, celebrations began with the morning Eid ul-Fitr prayer at the mosque.

Originally, Gravesend Central Mosque had planned to do this at Dunkirk Close, on the grounds of the Punjabi United Football Club.

“We had done Eid in the park at Fort Garden Gravesend last year but unfortunately this year’s plans we had to cancel because of the bad weather forecast,” said Bilal.

After the prayers are finished, the men will hug each other three times and wish one another Eid Mubarak, before heading back home with their families.

The rest of the day will be filled with meeting and greeting one another, having lunches together, and eating traditional cultural sweets called mithai.

The custom of gifting children money, called Eidi, will also take place among friends and family.

“Everyone will be excited for Eid, but especially children. They will be saying ‘ Where’s my Eidi? Where’s my Eidi?’,” added Bilal.

Eid Ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar and draws Ramadan to a close.