Eid al-Fitr, which means the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast”, marks the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month-long when Muslims fast, or go without food and drinks, during daylight. The celebration of Eid al-Fitr also signals the first day in the month of Shawwal. The date of this festival is based on the lunar calendar. It begins with the first sighting of the new moon, so most of the time Muslims have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date. The starting day varies every year and from country to country depending on geographical location. In many Muslim countries, the three-day festival is a national holiday. That means people don’t go to school or work. Instead they participate in the Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
How is it observed?
Fruit, pastries and other sweets are are eaten during Eid. During Eid al-Fitr, Muslim families and friends get together to celebrate. The day usually begins with the whole family enjoying a small breakfast. This is the first daytime meal that has been eaten in a month. Muslims then gather outside or at a mosque to pray together and listen to a sermon that’s followed by a prayer called the Salat al-Eid. In the afternoon, Muslims get together with family and friends to enjoy a big feast (with lots of sweets!) and give gifts to each other. There may also be parades, processions, and other outdoor celebrations. Eid is marked with a special set of prayers on the first morning of the festival, followed by the first daylight meal in a month, usually shared with friends and family. Many return to their family homes to celebrate. A vast array of sweet dishes and treats are prepared and consumed. Traditionally, people greet each other by saying: Eid Mubarak, =which means “Blessed Eid.. In some countries the prayers take place outside, while others are hosted in mosques or large halls. After the prayers, Muslims wish those around them a happy Eid. People then visit relatives, friends and sometimes graveyards to pray for their dead. Many people wear traditional clothes, give gifts or money to children, and donate to charity. In some countries, the holiday is known as Sweet Eid for its variety of sweets.
Are there any other special traditions?
Since giving to others through charity is an important part of Ramadan, it is also a part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Many Muslims donate different kinds of food to the poor. This form of charity is called sadagah al-fitr, and it makes sure that everyone will be able to mark the end of Ramadan by enjoying a special meal.
Do some countries have different traditions when celebrating Eid al-Fitr?
While Eid al-Fitr celebrations are similar in most places, some countries do have their own unique customs. In Indonesia, for example, many Muslims visit the graves of their family members and clean the gravesites during this holiday. And in Turkey, people show an extra sign of respect to the elderly throughout Eid al-Fitr by kissing their right hand when they meet.
How do people dress for Eid?
Any of the Muslims like to celebrate by dressing up and wearing their best clothes on Eid day and going out to meet friends and relatives, looking and smelling good. Muslims begin this occasion with the Eid prayers in the morning Eid is a well-known tradition from Islamic history and is also indicated by Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was known to have worn his best cloak on Eid.
An important marker of Eid is the clothes. Some would wear clothes from their culture, while others would pick out something new to wear. This year, social media users were already fretting over Eid clothes mid-way through Ramadan. A few Muslim-owned businesses started trading free Eid outfits for retweets.
What are the common Eid greetings?
Depending on the country and language. For instance, in Indonesia Eid is called Lebaran, so Indonesians would say, “Selamat Lebaran” which means Happy Eid. Other variations of Happy Eid are “Mutlu Bayramlar” in Turkish and “Barka da Sallah” in Hausa, a Nigerian language.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
