Watch: Muslims break Ramadan tradition

Some Auckland Muslims are ditching tradition and breaking holy month fasting at restaurants or bars instead of mosques or with family at home.

Zain Ali, head of Islamic research at the University of Auckland, said with more halal restaurants serving food permissible according to Islamic law, Muslims have more options.

"Traditionally Iftar or the breaking of fast is done with family, but overseas students that I know usually break fast with their friends," Dr Ali said.

Accountant Mustafa Al-Ansari, 27, makes it a point to break fast at least once every Ramadan with his friends instead of family.

His favourite place is Shefco Restaurant on Stoddard Rd, where the dinner buffet is especially catered.

For Houmoud Mohammed, 21, student from the Middle East, his preferred place to break fast is a halal Chinese bar on Karangahape Rd called Beijing Lu.

Dr Ali said there was no "official expectation" on how Muslims should break their fast.

Muslims are encouraged to do charitable activities and pray for the less fortunate during the holy month.

Dr Ali said this Ramadan the community had been deeply conscious of those in dire need here and abroad.

Ramadan ends this week. Muslims will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr after 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting.

Whether Eid falls on Wednesday or Thursday will depend on the sighting of the crescent moon tomorrow night.

In Auckland, about 10,000 are expected to gather for prayers, food and celebrations.