Kozhikode: The state will celebrate this year's Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday, Muslim clerics in Kerala informed.

For a month, Muslims have been fasting from dawn to dusk, engaging in special prayers and keeping away from several temporal activities.

Believers abstain from consuming any food or liquid between fajr and maghrib prayers (at dawn and sunset) for the period of a whole month.

In view of Ramadan, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged all to observe the ceremonial feast in their homes. Vijayan said that this decision has been taken along with community elders to ensure the safety of all during this time of crisis. 

He said the spirit of Ramadan is one of tolerance and equality, and said these qualities will be instrumental in our collective fight against coroanvirus.

Vijayan also informed that shops can remain open until 9pm on Saturday. "It is customary to go to the shop and buy things during Ramadan. In view of this, total lockdown will not be observed on Sunday," Chief minster added.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, ends with Eid ul-Fitr, again with the sighting of the new moon as the indicator.