Eid Al-Fitr 2014: History, Observance and Facts About the Islamic Festival Celebrated after End of Ramadan
A crescent moon is seen over a mosque after sunset in Karachi June 29, 2014. Reuters

Eid al-Fitr begins with the first sight of the new moon of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. At this time Muslims around the world will break their Ramadan fasts.

As the crescent moon appears on different dates in different geographical regions, many Muslim communities celebrate Eid on the day it appears over the sky above Mecca.

In a unique move, the Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP) is allowing Muslims across the world to watch the crescent moon appearing in the evening sky above Mecca, ending the holy month of Ramadan.

The ICOP will broadcast the Eid Crescent live on its website on Sunday July 27, from Amman in Jordan.

Click here to watch the crescent moon live stream online.

"In case the crescent is visible, the visitor will be the first to see it along with the observers. The technique we are using CCD Imaging. This is a new technology used for crescent sighting," the ICOP said in a statement.

"This technique surpasses the naked eye observation and the telescope, as the crescent can be seen at daytime, even if the crescent cannot be seen by naked eye or by the telescopes."

On the day of Eid, Muslims around the world get up extra early in the morning to take a bath and wear new clothes. It is customary to eat something sweet before special prayer of Eid begins.

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