Indonesia: Muslims celebrate first day of Eid al-Fitr

Muslim worshippers marked the first day of Eid al-Fitr with a public prayer in Bojong Salaman Village, near Semarang in the Central Java Province, Friday. Also known as the Sugar Feast, Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated with the whole family on the day after the holy month of Ramadan ends. After the public prayer, the families went home to cook and eat together. The day of Eid marks the only day during the year in which Muslims are not permitted to fast, and falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. The date for Eid's start is determined by observing the new moon, which is done by local religious authorities. However, most countries follow Saudi Arabia, whose Supreme Court announced Friday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.