Muslims end month of fasting, celebrate Eid al-Fitr with prayer and feasting

It wasn't a concert orsporting event that prompted thousands of people to line up outsideBC Place Tuesday morning.

The lineups were for a mass celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Muslims from across Metro Vancouver gathered at Canada's third largest stadium to offer prayer,bid farewell to Ramadan, andwelcome afestival that begins with the sighting of thenew moon.

Eidal-Fitr translates as"the festival of breaking of the fast." Ramadan includesfasting from food and drink from dawn until sunset.Fasting during Ramadanis one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include prayer and charity.

According to a 2011 Canadian National Household Survey, there are more than 1 million Muslims living in Canada, making it the second largest religion in the country.

After morning prayer which is usually held in a mosque butcan also be held in public spaces such as a parkor indoor venue the community will gather for a feast at various places. Families will open theirhomes to the community and offer a plethora of food and treats.