Categories: Education

Eid al-Fitr: What is celebration about?

Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr after the month-long fast of Ramadan comes to a close.

On the day of Eid Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak”.

Because the timing of Eid al-Fitr is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, it can be difficult to predict when the festival will take place.

When the new moon appears over Saudi Arabia, the Islamic community break into colorful celebrations, throwing food festivals, performing music and spending time with friends and family.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

The arabic name Eid al-Fitr translates to “festival of the breaking of the fast”.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr after the month-long fast of Ramadan comes to a close (photo AFP/Getty Images)

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the month in which the Quran was first revealed.

Muslims spend the month fasting from dawn until sunset.

When is Eid al-Fitr observed?

The end of Ramadan is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, so it can be difficult to predict.

Eid al-Fitr is observed when the first new moon is sighted.

This can lead to the festival being celebrated on different days in different parts of the world.

While some Muslims wait to be able to see the moon themselves, many either use the calculated time of the new moon, or base it on the declaration made in Saudi Arabia.

This year, Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday, July 27, that Eid al-Fitr would begin on July 28.

How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather at mosques in the morning to perform the Eid prayer, before holding family gatherings and visiting friends.

Muslims share feasts and sweets to mark the end of the fasting period, and greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak” – which roughly translates as “happy Eid” or “blessed Eid.”

The celebrations last for three days, and are seen as a time of forgiveness and of giving thanks to Allah for helping people to complete their spiritual fasting.

Many Muslims display this thanksgiving by giving donations and food to those less fortunate than themselves.

In most Muslim countries, the three days of Eid are observed as public and school holiday.

_jZsRPqbkGk
James J. Williams

James is a professor in Science. His writing skills brought him to BelleNews. He enjoys writing articles for the Science and Technology category. James often finds himself reading about the latest gadgets as the topic is very appealing to him. He likes reading and listening to classical music.

Share
Published by
James J. Williams

Recent Posts

House Panel Votes to Release Matt Gaetz Ethics Report

The US House Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on former Republican Representative…

3 days ago

ABC News to Pay $15M to Settle Trump Defamation Suit

ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump to settle a…

1 week ago

South Korea’s Parliament Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol Following Martial Law Scandal

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt…

1 week ago

Syria: Israeli War Planes Carry Out More Than 100 Air Strikes

Israeli war planes have carried out more than 100 air strikes in Syria on December…

2 weeks ago

Donald Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on BRICS Nations

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on the BRICS countries if they…

3 weeks ago

Syria Coup: Rebels Take Control of Aleppo

Syrian troops have withdrawn from the city of Aleppo following an offensive by rebels opposed…

3 weeks ago