Muslims across Australia have filled mosques and public spaces to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The festival of Eid al-Fitr traditionally occurs with the first sighting of the new moon and brings to a close the end of a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirit of those flowing into the Lakemba mosque in Sydney's south-west from early morning for Eid prayers.

Roads around the mosque were blocked off to allow the congregation to fill the area.

Families and children left the service with pockets filled with sweets, as is Eid custom.

Muslim families are also known to visit relatives in hospital and pay their respects to loved ones who have passed away as part of Eid celebrations

Rarbie Ziad, 22, attended the prayers and said that for him Eid was all about spending time with family.

"After this it's going to be family, so we're going to go see our family, from there we'll go to the cemetery, just visit all our past members, from there come back and have a big lunch."

What is Eid al-Fitr?

    The festival of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast in daylight hours.
    Eid al-Fitr is also known as the "Feast of Breaking the Fast".
    It falls at the start of the lunar month of Shawwal on the Islamic calendar, although the exact start date can depend on the sighting of the new moon.
    Muslims flock for early morning prayers on Eid, many of them dressed in their best clothes.
    Children receive presents, greeting cards are often exchanged and many people adorn their homes with decorations.
    Money and food are often given to the poor during Eid, and old wrongs are said to be forgiven.
    Eid feasts, attended by friends and relatives, can last several days in some countries.
    Sheer khurma (a dish of dates cooked in milk) is usually eaten in the morning of Eid al-Fitr.
    Eid al-Fitr is one of two main Muslim festivals, the other being Eid al-Adha, which falls in October and celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son, Ishmael, on Allah's command.

    (Sources: Islamic Association of Australia; Gulf News; Al Babwa)