Breaking the Fast: What is Eid al-Fitr?

This year Eid al-Fitr starts on May 1 or May 2, depending on the lunar calendar. The start of the holiday is timed to the first sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. Some countries, such as Turkey, rely on technology to see the crescent moon. Others, still follow the tradition of sticking to bare eyes to see the moon's shape. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated to commemorate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and takes place over three days. Eid al-Fitr means "the celebration of breaking the fast."