Millions of Muslims around the UK and the world are gearing up for the start of Ramadan - one of the holiest Islamic months.
It is a time of fasting where Muslims are required not to eat or drink during the hours of daylight.
Ramadan is set to end on the evening of Friday 21st April 2023.
And to signify the end of it, Muslims will gather together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, one of two Eid celebrations which happen each year.
Eid al-Fitr is an Arabic term that means "feast of breaking fast" and it is a significant time for Muslims to celebrate the end of a very intense month of prayer, fasting, self-reflection and charity.
How is Eid celebrated?
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the very next day at the end of Ramadan so Muslims are required to not continue their fast on this day.
Some people tend to buy new clothes just for the occasion, but those who can't afford them are expected to make an effort to look well-dressed.
After this, families will gather together and enjoy breakfast before attending the Eid prayer at the Mosque.
"For the first part of the day, people will be in the mosque, and it will usually be men attending the mosque. Women also can go to the mosque, but usually, it's the men", the secretary of the Birmingham Central Mosque tells the Mirror.
An Eid prayer is held by an Imam - a Muslim spiritual leader and everyone is urged to participate in Eid prayers, including children. After this, it is time to feast.
Do you have celebrations planned for Eid? Let us know in the comments.
Mr Hanif said: "In traditional houses, women will also prepare the food. sometimes in modern households, they may go to a restaurant for the day.
"Eating in the daytime is such an amazing experience because you've been eating when the sun has gone down for a whole month."
This is also a time in which loved ones exchange gifts and money with one another.
It is also forbidden to fast during both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as the main purpose is to celebrate the end of the sacred month of Ramadan.
Mr Hanif added: "It is meant to be a day of celebration. The devil is said to fast during Eid because he is so displeased that people are enjoying themselves so you must not fast on eid."
Where will celebrations be taking place in the UK?
Celebrations in London are always a spectacle and this year is no different.
Preparation is already on the way for the Mayor of London's annual festival in the capital's iconic Trafalgar Square.
This year’s theme focuses on family, education, and innovation with an exhilarating lineup of acts on the main stage.
The East London Mosque will also be holding its own celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.
Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes at the East London Mosque and Maryam Centre, said the mosque Eid celebrations are a big operation.
She said: "For our new Muslims, we try to be that family for them, so we'll have a meal prepared for them", she said.
"We even ask them to bring food if they want to share food so the food is not from one culture, so people can bring a roast in if they want to as well."
Birmingham is said to be host to the largest Eid celebration in Europe - the 'Celebrate Eid' event - whch usually expects 60,000 attendees each year with fairground rides, rodeo bull riding and various tasty food stands.
But since the covid pandemic, the number of attendees has dramatically reduced.
Mr Hanif, secretary for the Birmingham Central Mosque, says this year will be the very first proper Eid since covid restrictions have been relaxed.
He said: "Last year, people were still wary about covid because it was still fresh in many people's minds.
"So many people lost loved ones and weren't able to attend funerals and it impacted a lot of people.
"I think this year will be the first post-covid Eid. This year will be even bigger and brighter."
My Hanif says the mosque has also planned an event for new converts to come to celebrate Eid if they are unable to at home.
"With new converts sometimes the family is quite excepting but sometimes they are not and that can be isolating", he said.
"So in the mosque, we have an Eid celebration for new Muslims and converts and anyone who is feeling like they can't take part in the celebrations at home.
In Leeds, celebrations are spread far and wide as families gather together.
Some families travel from Birmingham and Bradford just to come to the Leeds Grand Mosque to celebrate Eid.
Dr Omar Tabbaa, chairman of the mosque, said the mosque is hopeful of having a big celebration this year.
“We hope to adopt back to our full capacity before the covid 19 restrictions and we will have three Eid prayers”, he said.
“After the prayer, we will serve some coffee and tea and we distribute toys to all children and they play for hours and hours in the mosque.
“We have an army of staff and volunteers who work throughout the time and make sure everyone is safe and there are no hazards.”
Dr Omar said Eid celebrations are important, especially for those who may find themselves celebrating alone.
“When I first came to the UK, I came alone without my family and the first Eid when I woke up alone was terrible”, he said.
“I just thought let me to the mosque and there was a big celebration and everyone was there and I didn’t know anyone but I came to know so many people ad cam home very happy.
“I know how important it is not to celebrate Eid alone.”
Edinburgh is host to a variety of Eid celebrations, with parties hosted across the city in parks and mosques.
Amin Buxton, the visitor coordinator at the Edinburgh Central Mosque, said that the Eid celebrations are often a bittersweet moment in marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
"In some ways, it's sad because it's a day of joy but there is sadness because Ramadan is a whole month of celebration", he said.
"With so many community activities and so much worship, there's just so much going on that you don't want it to end.
“But on the day, the mosque is full for Eid prayer and everyone is hugging each other and congratulating each other.
“And there's even a party in the car park, a bouncy castle and games and everything.”
