The religious festival Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world.
Also known as the “Lesser Eid,” Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. An occasion for special prayers, family visits, gift-giving, and charity, it takes place over one to three days, beginning on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.
- Many Muslims in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi royalty, choose to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at a gigantic mosque, which holds the holiest shrine in Islam, the Kaaba.
- Known as Lebaran, Indonesia celebrates Eid Al Fitr in grand style. People bake a traditional thousand-layer cake called Lapis Legit. Huge crowds bang drums, light up firecrackers, and carry torches in the streets on the eve of Lebaran.
- Eid al–Fitr is celebrated in one of the few mosques in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Guests who visit the mosque come armed with an international buffet of mouth–watering foods, including foods from Indonesian, Egyptian and Eritrean cuisines to celebrate this holy and joyous occasion.
- In Turkey, Eid-ul-Fitr is known as Ramazan Bayrami (Ramadan festival) or Seker Bayrami (festivals of sweets). People wear their new clothes referred to as bayramlik and wish each other Bayraminiz Mubarek Olsun that translates to ‘May your Bayram (Eid) be blessed’.
- In Malaysia, Eid al-Fitr is known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The day before Eid, Malaysian households decorate, and prepare traditional dishes- Ketupat, Kuih Raya, lemang, rending, etc.. The ‘open houses’ are a long-standing tradition of Malaysia. The houses are open to everybody to enjoy delicious food and a good time.
Are you celebrating Eid al-Fitr and if so, how?
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[…] “Festival of Sacrifice” and is considered the holiest of the two Eids, the other being Eid al-Fitr, that commemorates the end of […]