Bhubaneswar, July 17: The holy month of Ramazan ended today with Muslim clerics announcing that Id will be celebrated tomorrow.

This year, the holy month began on June 18. The ninth month of the lunar calendar of Muslims, Ramazan, requires the devouts to fast since it is believed to be one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is an expression of devotion and anyone who observed the daily fast is required to abstain from food, drink, smoking and sinful deeds.

"We have kept our vows of fasting and prayers for the entire month successfully. Today with the end of Ramazan, the month of Shawwal begins and Id will be celebrated on Saturday," said Nazia Sultana, a city-based student.

While the Ramazan month saw many devouts fasting and even hosting Iftar parties in the evening for a get together with community members as well as friends from other communities, the festivities of Eid will feature charity from Muslim devouts.

"We will definitely wear our new clothes and host feasts as also gift children and friends and relatives. But, we will also spare time to give food, clothing and money to the needy. Our vows will be incomplete without charity," said Mubarak Islam, a businessman.

Today evening saw a large gathering of community members at the Unit-IV Masjid for the last namaz or prayer recital of the Ramazan month. Saturday, too, will begin with the special group recital of prayers at masjids. The revelries will be followed with the whole day keeping the Muslim families busy with feasts and visits to dear ones.

All masjids in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have been decorated with light arrangements for the occasion.

"We await announcement of the Id day. Once the perfect crescent of the moon is spotted in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf and Middle-East countries, it is confirmed. The confirmation comes by evening and a joyous revelry follows till the next evening," said an Imam in the city.