Eid is an Arabic word which means festival or celebration.

Families and friends celebrate together, exchanging gifts and food.

Special prayers are read at the mosque on Eid. Salim Mulla, senior vice chair of Lancashire Council of Mosques, explains the significance of Eid to the Muslim community.

Mr Mulla said: "For a Muslim, Eid is a day of thanksgiving. On the day of Eid, fasting is forbidden since this day marks the end of the month-long fast.

"In the morning of Eid, Muslims are encouraged to enjoy a sweet snack such as dates, halwa, sweet samosas, etc "Other practices on this special day include bathing and adorning oneself in new or one's best clothes."

There are two Eid celebrations in Islam. This weekend's is called Eid ul-Fitr.

The other, Eid al-Adha, is linked to the pilgramage to Mecca which all Muslims must undertake once in their lives if they are fit enough and can afford to.

This takes place 10 weeks after Eid ul-Fitr.

Mr Mulla said: "Muslims celebrate Eid by expressing thanks to Allah, God, by means of distributing alms among the poor and needy and offering special prayers.

"The Eid prayer is important for Muslims as it has the merits of the daily prayers and the weekly gathering for Friday prayers.

"On this day, gifts are also given to children and loved ones.

"Eid ul-Fitr is the first of two holidays in Islam. Eid-ul-Fitr is an expression of a person to show his happiness upon his achievements in Ramadan.

"This out-pouring of happiness is to encourage a person to show gratitude to God for his bounties.

"The bounty of having experienced Ramadan and having had the opportunity to better himself spiritually - and the bounties of food and drink on the day of Eid.

"It is hoped that due to this celebration, a person will continue upon his achievements of purity as he did in Ramadan.

"Eid is a family and social event, after the Eid prayers people visit each other, exchange gifts, spend time socializing with extended family and community, visiting the sick and offering prayers for the deceased.

"I wish all the community of Lancashire a happy Eid."