Lucknow Imam confirms sighting of Eid-ul-fitr moon

Lucknow Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali confirmed that the Eid-ul-fitr moon has been sighted on Monday evening.

"The moon has been sighted and according to that Eid-ul-fitr will be celebrated tomorrow," said Mahali.

Eid is a time for visiting friends and family and receiving guests. It is customary for Muslims to buy new clothes and accessories for the festive occasion.

Ramadan is the ninth of 12 months in the Islamic calendar. The month honours the Angel Gabriel's revelation of the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam, to the Prophet Mohammed at a meditation retreat in a cave about 1,400 years ago.

Fasting, charity, daily prayers, the declaration of faith and pilgrimage to Mecca are the five pillars of Islam.

During Ramadan, Muslims offer special prayers called Taraweeh at the end of their usual five- times prayers.

Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days and culminates in the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, tens of millions across the Muslim world make every effort to be more spiritual.

Muslims abstain from food, drink and other pleasures from sunrise to sunset.