Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that is observed by Muslims around the world to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer. Eid al-Fitr, also referred to as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a three-day holiday that begins on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. During this festival, Muslims come together to pray, share, and enjoy the blessings of God.
This holiday was established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Shawwal to mark the conclusion of Ramadan.
According to some beliefs, the festivals of Eid al-Fitr began in Medina after the Hegira (departure of Muhammad from Mecca) in 622 AD. In Medina, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) found the people observing and indulging in recreational activities. It is then that he recommended the observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as the two better days for festivities and recreation.
Eid al Fitr is a significant festival in the Islamic calendar. This holiday marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. During this time, Muslims not only celebrate the end of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting but also thank Allah for the Quran, which was first revealed towards the end of Ramadan. Additionally, they thank Allah for the strength to practice self control throughout the entire month of Ramadan, as well as seek forgiveness for their sins.
Typically, these two holidays mark the most significant Islamic religious festivals. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the conclusion of Ramadan and is referred to as the Feast of Breaking the Fast. This holiday is observed on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
On the other hand, Eid al-Adha celebrates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isma’il (Ishmael) in obedience to Allah’s will. Eid al-Adha, also referred to as the Feast of Sacrifices, marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Eid al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al Hijjah.
Generally, this holiday is celebrated by conducting a variety of rituals and traditions among the Muslim community in commemoration of the conclusion of Ramadan and Allah’s blessings during this fasting period. Some of these traditions include:
After the prayer, a sermon is given, which is then followed by a petition seeking Allah’s forgiveness, peace, mercy, and blessings. The sermon focuses on instructing Muslims about the performance of Eid rituals such as zakat (a form of obligatory almsgiving in Islam).
The Islamic calendar followers the lunar cycle. Ramadan ends upon the sighting of the crescent moon and the next day marks the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, and Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for 3 consecutive days.
Celebrations for this holiday usually begin with a morning prayer before heading to the mosque for more prayers. However, different countries or regions have established their own unique traditions to celebrate this holiday. For instance:
1. Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, although the celebrations of this holiday may differ culturally based on region, the common theme is that of hospitality and generosity. After the Eid prayers, gift-giving and Eid greetings are very common. Additionally, generosity and kindness are extended to the less fortunate. Traditionally, Saudi men purchase large quantities of foodstuffs and leave them at the doors of the poor and needy.
2. Turkey
In Turkey, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday and all government offices and schools are closed for the three-day celebration. People attend prayer services, wear their most elegant clothes, visit loved ones and pay respect to their departed relatives. Here this holiday is referred to as Seker Bayrami or Ramazan Bayrami.
3. Egypt
In Egypt, Eid al-Fitr is an official three-day holiday and all schools and government offices remained closed. Celebrations for this holiday begin with a snack followed by Salat al-Eid and a sermon instructing worshippers to uphold moral virtues and good deeds. Family visits, greetings such as Eid Mubarak (blessed Eid), tours, gift-giving, among others are common.
4. South Africa
In South Africa, Muslims gather in Cape Town at Green Point on the final day of Ramadan for the sighting of the moon. The sunset prayer (Maghreb) is performed in the congregation. Once the formal sighting of the moon is announced, the festival is observed by attending morning prayers at the mosque, followed by visiting relatives, gift-giving and feasting on samosas, pies, cakes, tarts and so on.
5. Pakistan
In Pakistan, this holiday is also known as Choti Eid (Small Eid) or Meethi Eid (Sweet Eid). On this day, people wear their finest clothes, attend prayers, and offer obligatory charity to the less fortunate. Additionally, sending Eid greeting cards to distant relatives or friends is common.
6. India
On the eve of Eid (Chaand Raat which translates to Night of the Moon), Indians visit shopping malls for Eid shopping. Girls and women decorate themselves with traditional henna and wear colorful bangles. Exchanging Eid greetings, gift-giving, visiting relatives and paying respect to departed loved ones are some of the common traditions.
7. Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, this holiday is observed as a public holiday. Generally, schools, government offices, banks, and most businesses are closed for about a week during this celebration. This holiday is observed by attending obligatory Eid prayers on the morning of Eid, formal embraces, exchanging Eid greetings, visiting friends or relatives, among others. Additionally, ladies decorate themselves with henna, people wear their most elegant clothes and share meals with loved ones.
8. Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, the predominantly Sunni Muslim community begins the preparations for the Eid festival ten days before the celebration by cleaning their homes. They perform Eid shopping at local bazaars and buy sweets, snacks, clothes, among other necessities. On Eid al-Fitr, they attend prayers and later gather at their homes with family and friends and exchange greetings or gifts, share meals and so on.
9. Indonesia
In Indonesia, Eid is referred to as Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Lebaran and is observed as a public holiday. During this time, people travel back to their hometown or city (mudik) to celebrate with their relatives as well as seek forgiveness from their elders, parents or in-laws. Generally, celebrations begin on the eve of Eid with recitations of the takbir and lighting fireworks and lamps. On the day of Eid, Eid prayers and zakat alms are distributed in the mosque. Later, gift-giving, family gathering and visiting departed relatives is common.
10. Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia
In these regions, Eid is referred to as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. On this day, it is customary for people to travel back to their home towns or cities and celebrate with their relatives as well as seek forgiveness. Additionally, oil lamps are lit and put on the outside of homes. Special dishes, Eid greetings, wearing traditional clothing, among other activities are typical.
11. China
In China, both Muslims and non-Muslims are permitted to a one-day or three-day national holiday to celebrate Eid. Communal prayers, reading the Quran, visiting the graves of departed loved ones is common during this period.
12. United States
In the U.S., Muslims attend Eid prayers in convention halls, open parks, Islamic centers and so on. In some regions, prayers are conducted several times to accommodate large numbers of attendees. Visiting one another, feasting, prayers, ladies decorating themselves with henna, gift-giving, among other traditions are common.
13. United Kingdom
In the UK, this holiday is not considered a public holiday but organizations, schools, and offices allow Muslims a day off to participate in the religious celebrations. Common traditions include wearing traditional clothing, a Jubba (men) or abaya (women), attending Eid prayers at a local mosque or community center, reciting of the takbir, Eid greetings, family gathering, among others.
14. Canada
In Canada, similar to the U.S., Muslims take a day off work to attend prayers at mosques, Islamic centers, convention halls, and so on. Congregational prayers, visiting each other, gift-giving and sharing meals is common.
15. Australia
Muslims in Australia attend prayers at the mosque or open areas. During this celebration, the local police block roads to turn away traffic to cater to prayer and other related festivities.
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