Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast”.
Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast”.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will soon be coming to an end. Muslims across the globe are preparing to celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast”. It takes place the day after the new Moon is seen at the end of the month of Ramadan, and marks the start of Shawwal – the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, many Muslims attend prayers at their local mosque. By this time, they are expected to have made their end-of-Ramadan donation to charity, known as Zakat-ul-Fitr or Fitrana, which helps to feed the poor.
Islam follows a lunar calendar, Ramadan and Eid are part of this cycle. This year, the first day of Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31. This depends on the sighting of the moon.
All significant days in the Islamic calendar appear to shift forward approximately 11 days each year. Therefore, the sighting of the moon determines the end of the month-long period of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.
Eid ul-Fitr lasts for one day, In the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first day of Shawwal. This is the day in which Eid prayers take place, and it is forbidden to fast.
Islamic Relief states: “In many Muslim countries, the celebrations of Eid ul-Fitr can last for up to three days. These days are usually public holidays, in which families and friends gather and celebrate the end of a month of fasting.”
They add: “It’s a day of joy and celebration in having spent Ramadan in Allah’s pleasure, and for fulfilling our duty to Allah to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.
“The day is usually characterised by praying Eid prayers, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying good food.”
Muslims are encouraged to do many things when celebrating Eid, such as:
- Pray Every Muslim is encouraged to pray Eid prayer in congregation with their fellow Muslim community to thank Allah
- Take a different route to and from Eid prayer. It is the Sunnah of the Prophet to travel to the Eid prayer using one route and return home using a different direction. It was narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah
However, millions of UK households who are observing Ramadan and getting ready for the celebrations of Eid ul Fitr are being warned to take into account the UK clock change. The clocks go forward by an hour as we move to British Summer Time at the end of March.
The clock change, which comes at 1am on Sunday, March 30, will cause a sudden shift in the Ramadan timetable worshippers must follow for prayers and meals. Those who began Ramadan on March 1 will be awaiting news of a moonsighting announcement set to be either on March 30 or 31.
For anyone still observing Ramadan on Sunday, March 30, the one-hour jump in sunrise and sunset times will also see timings for prayers and meals adjusted accordingly.
