The Islamic Eid Al-Fitr is the three day holiday celebrated by Muslims starting the first day after the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

However, the final word on the timing of the start of Eid remains per tradition with Egypt's Dar El-Ifta – the main religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas in the country.

Dar El-Ifta will make this determination based on a confirmation of a sighting of a crescent after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan this year, which falls on Thursday 20 April according to the Gregorian calendar, to determine whether Thursday was the last day of this Ramadan or the month would stay with us for one more day.

A month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on the lunar system, could be 29 or 30 days based on sighting of moons after sunset on the 29th day of a month.

This means that a new month on the Hijri calendar begins when a new moon can be sighted with the naked eye after sunset on the 29th day of an outgoing one.

The 29th day of Ramadan this year falls on Thursday 20 April according to the Gregorian calendar.

Egypt designates all three days of Eid as paid public holiday for government and private sector workers.

Per tradition, millions of Egyptians treat themselves to Kahk El-Eid, delicious white-powder-sugar-coated cookies stuffed with dates’ paste, to celebrate the end of the fasting month.

Millions visit families and friends before flocking to public parks and movie theatres to catch new films released on the occasion.