Shawwal literally means to 'lift or carry'; so named because she-camels normally would be carrying a foetus at this time of year.
It is the month directly following Ramadan, making it the 10th month of the lunar year in Islam. The first day of this month was the Eid il Fitr (or the Feast of Breaking the Fast) - which is calculated by sighting the new crescent moon. On the day of either Eids, fasting is forbidden. They are days of celebration and feasting.
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