Eid al Fitr, a three-day festival which began on Sunday, signals the end of the holy month of fasting, known as Ramadan.

During the celebration, Muslims exchange visits, and eat and drink items which are forbidden during Ramadan. In this story, Li Ying takes us into different people's bittersweet lives after the holy month.

In Gaza, the end of Ramadan brings no change to Majed Athamneh's family. In a strained atmosphere, this Palestinian man feels unable to celebrate Eid al Fitr.

Majed Athamneh, Gaza Resident, said, "What Eid are you talking about? If we say that we are happy with this Eid, we are lying. How are we supposed to be happy when we don't even have shelter to protect us."

In the past eight months, Athamneh's family has been living in a tent in a northern Gaza town. Their home was destroyed during the war.

While Eid al Fitr, in the Muslim world, features family gatherings, presents, and lunchtime feasts, this tent family finds no difference in their daily struggle to survive.

Ala Athamneh, Gaza Resident, said, "We don't have new clothes and we don't play. We don't feel the happiness of Eid."

Thousands of houses were destroyed or severely damaged during the Israeli offensive last December, forcing tens of thousands of Gazans to take shelter in tents.

In Iraq's northern Kurdish region, people weary of that country's protracted conflict are arriving for a short break. This area offers them natural beauty, agreeable weather, and a peaceful life.

Iraqi Visitor, Kurdish Region, said, "This is my first visit here. It is very beautiful. We wish that Iraq would always be peaceful and safe for the Iraqi people."

The Kurdish region provides people with tranquility of the nature, but it still takes time to find the tranquility of the heart.

(CCTV September 22, 2009)