Muslims in Rockland are joining others around the world in anticipating Eid al-Fitr, the joyous three-day holiday that marks the end of the month of Ramadan.

But, as they are preparing for that, they’re also celebrating a great achievement today.

For the first time ever, a Malaysian — physician Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor — blasted off into space this morning alongside Yuri Malenchenko from Russia and Peggy Whitson of the United States. Whitson is the first woman to command the space station.

The three departed from Kazakhstan, and were destined for the International Space Station. Sheikh Muszaphar is the first Muslim to fly in space during Ramadan, the month devoted to prayer, fasting and introspection. He will spend about ten days doing research on the station before returning to Earth.

His participation is momentous because he is only the ninth Muslim in space. Reports had indicated that he would try to keep the sunup to sundown fast required of devout Muslims during Ramadan, but others reports say Malaysian Islamic clerics have declared him exempt.

Other requirements — such as those governing prayer and ablutions — have been modified for him.

Eid will start on Saturday in North America. There are about 6,000 Muslims in Rockland and 1 billion worldwide.

On another note, some schools in the Garden State are closing for Eid. To see a blog on the subject by staff writer Alice Gomstyn, click here.