What is Eid al-Fitr? Eid al-Fitr is the religious holiday which marks the end of Ramadan and a month of fasting for Muslims. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. Eid Mubarak is a greeting and phrase used by Muslims during Eid and means ‘blessed Eid'. Eid al-Fitr is held at the start of the following month, which is called Shawwall and translates to mean the ‘festival of breaking the fast'.
In Muslim countries, it is common for the capitals to decorate their cities with lights and commemorate the end of the holy month. Children are dressed in new clothes and offered gifts and money to celebrate the occasion. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam - known as Sawm. The five pillars are the five obligations every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam.
Getty Eid 2018: Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan
When is Eid? As the calendar is based on the lunar cycle, Eid changes every year and is decided when there is a sighting of a new moon. The Islamic calendar is different to the widely-used Gregorian calendar, which is determined by the sun. Islamic dates move back by 11 days each year, so Eid day is not known until shortly before the actual date. Scholars look for the first crescent of the new moon before sunset on the 29th day of every month - if it is seen, the month ends, but if it is not sighted, the month goes on one more day.
Getty Eid 2018: A Palestinian girl makes doughnuts to celebrate Eid
Al Jazeera reported the International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates expects Eid to be on Friday “in most Isalmic countries including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar." Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on Friday, June 15, and the holy month of Ramadan will end on Thursday June 14, but this based on the new moon being see on night of June 14, which is yet to be confirmed. Official Eid announcements are usually made within two hours of sunset because the new moon rises and sets with the sun (or within an hour). In Iraq, the government announced Eid al-Fitr will end on Tuesday June 19.
Getty Eid 2018: The date of Eid changes every year and is based on the lunar cycle
Eid al-Fitr 2017: The most stunning pictures from around the world Sun, June 25, 2017 Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today (Sunday June 25, 2017) in the UK, Europe, America and Muslim countries where the new new moon crescent was sighted last night Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 14 Egyptians try to catch balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Cairo
Eid al-Fitr, the first of the two Eids celebrated in the Islamic calendar, celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection, spending time with loved ones, and charitable work. Eid al-Fitr marks the beginning of the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, known as Shawwal, and is a joyous celebration. Eid al-Fitr translates from Arabic to “festival of breaking the fast.”
When is Eid 2018? The new crescent moon has been spotted in the UK, the Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre in Birmingham has confirmed. That means this year, Eid is will begin on Friday June 15. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is determined by the sun. Due to this, the exact date of Eid depends on when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted, and changes every year. It can also vary by region, as the new moon is sighted at different times by local religious authorities.
Getty Eid al-Fitr marks the beginning of the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, known as Shawwal
The International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi has reported that Friday is the expected date “In most Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar." Official Eid announcements are usually made within an hour or two of sunset because the new moon rises and sets with the sun. Eid al-Fitr follows the fasting month of Ramadan. The Iraqi government announced the holiday would end on Tuesday. How do you wish someone a happy Eid? To wish someone a happy Eid you can say ‘Eid Mubarak’, which is Arabic for ‘blessed Eid’. Eid Mubarak is pronounced in English like ‘eed mu-buh-ruck’
Getty Some celebrate the start of Eid with henna tatoos
How is Eid celebrated? Eid is traditionally celebrated for three days and is a national holiday in most Muslim countries. In the UK, people tend to celebrate by taking a day off work or school. The celebrations usually begin with early morning prayers. The rest of the day is dedicated to spending time with friends and family.
Getty Eid al-Fitr translates from Arabic to “festival of breaking the fast.”
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The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has come to an end - which means... Eid al-Fitr.
What is Eid?
Marking the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr - which means "festival of breaking the fast" - for three days.
When is Eid 2018?
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles and the new moon has been sighted - which means Eid day is on Friday June 15, with Ramadan ending on Thursday evening. Mosques throughout the UK will hold Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday.
What is Ramadan and why did Muslims fast throughout the month?
Ramadan is held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection, acts of charity and spending time with loved ones.
It is also a month when Muslims fast. This means they don’t eat or drink between sunrise and sunset, which is important during Ramadan as it allows them to devote themselves further to their faith, ultimately becoming closer to Allah, or God.
The reason why Muslims fast is because it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the other pillars being faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to Mecca – the Holy City.
Before sunrise, they have a meal (suhoor) and another meal (iftar) after sunset. The only people that do not have to fast during Ramadan are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those who are travelling or who are ill.
When is Ramadan 2019?
Because Islamic months follow the lunar calender, Ramadan arrives around 10 days earlier every year. Ramadan 2019 is expected to start on Sunday May 5.
What does Eid mubarak mean?
Eid mubarak is a greeting and well wish phrase used by Muslims during Eid. It means 'blessed Eid'.
What and when is Eid ul Adha?
Beginning on 21st August until 25th August, Eid ul Adha is also known as the Greater Eid and is regarded as the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar.
Observed by Muslims around the world, it marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son in order to obey God but was stopped by God who provided him with an animal to sacrifice instead.
To commemorate this, Muslims will feast on an animal but will divide it into three parts. They will give one part to the poor and those in need, one part to friends and they will share one part with their family.
EVERY year millions of Muslims around the UK and across the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
The date of the religious observance changes annually, as it is based on the lunar calendar. Here's everything you need to know about it...
Getty Images Eid or Eid al-Fitr marks the start of Shawwal which is a month of celebration
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid or Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting that started on May 16 and finishes on June 14.
It is an important religious holiday for Muslims and is a day when they are not permitted to fast.
It kick-starts the month of Shawwal, which begins with a feast to end the period of fasting.
The celebration is a public holiday in many Muslim countries, but is not one in the UK, despite a campaign for it to be recognised back in 2014.
Getty Images This year, Eid starts on Thursday, June 14, with the Shawwal month ending around a month later
During Eid, Muslims will often purchase new clothes for the occasion, and take part in festivals and celebrations.
Many will wake up early to pray at a mosque or outdoor prayer venue.
Gifts and cards are often exchanged among friends and family.
Eid means "celebration" and Mubarak means "blessed", often Eid Mubarak is used as a greeting over this period.
Alamy It marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and many Muslims will feast to celebrate
When is Eid al-Fitr 2018?
This year, Eid starts on Thursday, June 14, and finishes the following day.
The dates can be adjusted slightly nearer the time due to lunar sightings and changes each year.
This is because the Islamic calendar - known as the Umm al-Qura calendar - is based on the moon’s cycle, whereas the Gregorian one is determined by the sun.
As the two don’t align, the Islamic dates move back by around 11 days each year.
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Is there another Eid celebration in the calendar?
As well as Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of August 21, 2018, which falls in the middle of the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.
The celebration revolves around when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as a sign of his faith.
It’s similar to the Christian and Jewish stories in which God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but spared him from doing so.
During this time, Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals, in Britain this is done in a slaughterhouse, and the meat is divided up among friends, family and the needy.
It finishes on Saturday, August 25.
