What is Eid Al-Fitr?

Eid Al-Fitr is one of the two glorious festival celebrated by the muslim community. Eid Al-Fitr is also known as festival of breaking fast. It is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal month. Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar that marks end of Ramadan. Since, the sighting of the new moon marks the beginning of Ramadan, the day varies across different geographical regions. Ramadan is Islamic holy month of fasting where the muslims commence fasting dawn-dusk for the entire month. They do nightly feasts where they feast after the sunset.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL

Prophet Muhammad, who was the founder of Islam commenced Eid Al-Fitr. It is believed that during the month of Ramadan, prophet Muhammad got the first revelation of the Holy Quran. The festival is also celebrated to pay respect to Allah for bestowing them with strength and forbearance to complete a month long fasting ritual.

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated with immense joy and happiness. Devotees offers prayers in mosques by reciting Namaz. During the occasion, the families get together and exchange blessings and greetings. The festival is celebrated for three long days. People celebrate the festival by wearing new clothes and greets each other by wishing “Eid Mubarak” to their friends and families.

Eid Mubarak is believed as wishing others to have a prosperous Eid. Muslims celebrate by feasting sweet dishes. The famous sweet dish made by the devotees during this festival is Sewai (Sweet Vermicelli). They invite the nearest friends and families to feast and exchange happiness. Children are presented with Eidi by the elders. . Eidi means presents, surprises and chocolates. The festival is incomplete without varieties of delicacies. It is also believed that Eid is a festival where muslims mend their bad relationships with their friends and families and greet with Eid Mubarak. The festival is all about forgiveness and celebrations.

In the present context of the pandemic, most of the country across the globe is going for lockdown. The festival is not similar to what it used to be. Devotees are not allowed to gather and offer prayers in the Hajj. However, people are celebrating EID at their homes and observing the festival in a unique way.

EID MUBARAK to all who observe and celebrate the festival. We hope and pray that the festival brings peace, prosperity and good health to the world.