Eid al-Fitr is a festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. In China, more than 20 million Muslims celebrate this event. We visit Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where the majority of the population are Muslims.

People listen to sermons at a mosque in Beijing on July 6, 2016, the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

This is the westernmost city in China: Kashgar situates in the bottom corner of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the far side of the Taklamakan Desert, with over 90% of its population being Muslim Uyghurs, the city really is the capital of Uyghur culture. As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws to an end, over 30 thousand people have gathered at the Id Kah Mosque which is the largest of its kind in Xinjiang to join the Eid al-Fitr Prayer this morning.

There are certain rules that we must follow while entering the Mosque, especially during the prayer hours: avoid making noises or engaging in conversation, mobile phones need to be turned off, and the least respected of all rules is to walk in front of people along this primary wall in the mosque which indicates the direction of Mecca during a prayer session.

The Eid al-fitre, known as the fast breaking festival begin after the morning prayer, and followed by a day of feasting with families and friends. Many Muslims have put on their best clothes to celebrate and eat their first daylight meal in a month and give thanks to Allah for giving them strength and self-control. Streets in city's downtown get bustling and many restaurants are re-opened during the daytime hours.

Later on today, there will be food, lots and lots of food. Every family has its traditions, specialities and treasured recipes handed down through generations. Preparations started days in advance, each dish is prepared with great care. And gifts are exchanged between family members and homes are decorated to mark one of the most important day in the Muslim calendar.