Turkey, most Muslim countries start Eid al-Fitr on Sunday
Turkish Muslims attend the last Friday prayer of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, 23 June 2017. (EPA Photo)


Turkey and most other Muslim countries are set to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr feast on Sunday to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also start the holiday on Sunday, media reports said. The Sultanate of Oman said Monday will be the first day of the Eid.

The timing of Eid can vary in different countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.

During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not drink, eat or have sexual relations between dawn and nightfall. They also try to avoid evil thoughts and deeds.

Ramadan is sacred to Muslims also as the month the holy book of Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.