Feasts, colourful celebrations mark the end of Ramadan

In Sydney's oldest mosque in Lakemba, thousands of men, women and children poured out on the street with their colourful prayer rugs.

In the mosque, one of the Imams threw candy into the crowd.

Ramadan, the holiest month on the Muslim calendar, is when millions of the faithful fast from sunrise to sunset, breaking their abstinence with water and dates before feasting.

The month emphasises charity and hospitality as key values.

"Mercy means to help and support the weak ... we need mercy in our schools, banks, markets, workplaces, hospitals and more importantly within our families," said the mosque's head Imam Yahya Safi.

Jihad Dib, the first Muslim minister in NSW history, acknowledged families were doing it tough with the economic squeeze but also highlighted conflicts in homelands of the culturally diverse community.

He was flanked by NSW Premier Chris Minns and federal minister Tony Burke.

"It's been a difficult month, a challenging month ... so may all your prayers be accepted and all your acts of charity be accepted," Mr Dib said.

"What we've seen during this month is what we see every Ramadan, people coming together and the very best of our nation.

"For the families today I want you to enjoy yourselves, enjoy the food and give them a special day, visit the cemeteries, keep doing the charity and may these good days continue".

Australian Associated Press