MARKING the end of a monthlong observation of Ramadan is the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Celebrated on the first date of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, the first day of the three-day festival is usually determined through the sighting of the crescent moon.
This year, Ramadan began on March 11 at night, with the first day of fasting on March 12.
Many Muslims anticipated for the Eid al-Fitr to fall on Tuesday, April 9. However, since the moon wasn’t sighted in Saudi Arabia, the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, completing 30 days of Ramadan.
While other countries follow independent sightings, once the sighting has been verified, the declaration of Eid is broadcast on television, radio stations and at mosques.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most celebrated days in Hiriji calendar (Islamic calendar). Lunar months last between 29 and 30.
How Eid al-Fitr is celebrated
Celebrated for three days, Eid al-Fitr is considered an official holiday for countries that have Muslim-majority population. Meanwhile the number of holidays depends on the country.
Eid begins in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn. Traditionally, the prayer is held in an open area where Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is great.”
The prayer service is followed by a short sermon.
Other customs that are done during the Eid are:
- Communal prayer early in the day
- Starting the day with something sweet
- Giving and wearing new clothes
- Sharing gifts
- Elders giving “eidiyah” (money)
- Donating to the less fortunate
- Visiting loved ones
- Gathering with family and loved ones for a meal
Eating something sweet before the prayer is customary. This is known as a particular festival that is known as the “sweet” Eid. The distribution of sweets is a common practice amongst the Muslim world.
During Eid, Muslims usually spend the day visiting their loved ones and neighbors while accepting sweets as they move from house to house. In other countries, some families visit graveyards to offer their respect to their departed loved ones.
When it comes to food, each country has traditional sweets and desserts that are prepared before or on the morning of Eid.
The celebration of Eid also gathers girls and women to have their hand decorated with henna. Children are dressed in new clothes and are offered gifts and money as they commemorate the occasion.
Decorating their cities with lights and having festivals is also a common practice in Muslim-majority countries. This is to mark the end of Ramadan.
Why is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
Eid al-Fitr means “the feast of breaking the fast,” which marks the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr is seen as a spiritual supervision of Allah’s provision of strength and endurance. Aside from celebrating the feast by breaking the fast, Eid al-Fitr is also a time for charity, which they refer to as Zakat al-Fitr.
