Cairo  - Egyptians on Wednesday celebrated the first day of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

This year, the holiday in Egypt is a week long, due to the coming weekend and the October 6 commemoration of the 1973 war with Israel.

After four weeks of fasting, a holiday mood spread among Egyptians, who began the day with the Eid prayers after sunrise.

Families and friends prepared to visit each, while many, encouraged by the warm weather, headed to coastal cities for the feast.

Public parks throughout Egypt usually fill up with children wearing the new clothes bought especially for Eid. Kaak or cookies stuffed with dates or nuts and sprinkled with sugar power, as well various biscuits are found in almost every home.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya and Jordan celebrated the beginning of Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday, while the Gulf sultanate of Oman celebrates the Eid on Wednesday.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, and most Muslim countries set the beginning of Eid al-Fitr by the sighting of the new crescent. (dpa)