Date palm groves near Zagora, Morocco

© Frans Lemmens/Getty Image

Desert groves at Zagora. Breaking the fast for Eid

Under the shadow of the twin-peaks of Mount Zagora, farmers grow date palms in the Draa River Valley, where the oasis town of Zagora is the last stop before a long journey into the Sahara. Today, the Muslim population of Zagora will join billions of Muslims around the world to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The food-filled holiday marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours and break the fast each day at sunset with a meal called iftar. Dates are usually the first food to break this daily fast, which is one reason why we’re featuring an image of date palms on our homepage today. Ramadan is also a season for Muslims to refrain from harmful habits such as smoking, and many also engage in charity work or charitable giving. The faithful are rewarded with today’s observance, Eid al-Fitr, where families and friends gather to eat, socialise and give gifts to children and close relatives.