Things to know about the Muslim holiday after Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr this year begins on May 1 or May 2, depending on the lunar calendar.
The start date of the holiday is taken into account The first sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
Some countries, such as Turkey, rely on technology to see the crescent moon. Others, still follow the tradition of sticking their bare eyes to see the shape of the moon.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and runs for three days. Eid al-Fitr means “the celebration of breaking the fast.”
Ramadan marks the time when the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Devoted Muslims fast during the day and take time for self-reflection, prayer, and charity.
There are two Eid celebrations during the year: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Adha, or “sacrifice”, is held this year from July 9 to 10, marking the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah. In Christianity and Judaism, this is told as the story of Abraham and his son Isaac.
For Eid, the end of Ramadan All LGBTQ Muslims want is acceptance
This is America:The month of Ramadan brings the blessings of loved ones, the unity of the community
What is Eid Al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr marks the first day Muslims have returned to their normal way of life and stopped the obligatory daytime fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
“God has given us a special day for us to celebrate our ability to make it through that month,” Khalid Mozaffar, director of communications and outreach for the American Muslim Association in Frankfort, Illinois, told USA. TODAY.
One of the traditions of Eid includes charitable donations, known as zakat, one of the pillars of Islam. Muslims are obligated to pay zakat every year to feed and help those in need.
Before Eid, at the latest, before morning prayer, there should be a special charity called zakat al-Fitr. The exact amount varies according to the state of the economy. Tareq Alkhudari, a Kuwaiti human rights activist, told USA TODAY.
How is Eid celebrated?
During Eid, Muslims traditionally have a light breakfast and then go to the mosque for special prayers and sermons, according to Mozaffar.
After the prayers, Muslim families gather and exchange gifts. Traditional dishes and sweets are also made and exchanged.
“If you visit different families, you get fed a lot,” says Mozaffar.
According to Mozaffar, during this celebration, some Muslims volunteer at soup kitchens or pantries to help the less fortunate.
Looking for Ramadan recipe inspiration?These dishes use dates to have a sweet effect.
Celebrating in America
Alkhudari and Mozaffar expressed their disappointment that Eid al-Fitr was not getting more attention in the US, even though Muslims make up more than 1% of the population.
In Muslim countries, people usually get all three days of holiday celebrations. In the US, some people can claim time off while others cannot.
“If we are lucky enough to have a day, we try to accomplish as many celebrations in that one day,” says Mozaffar.
Mozaffar mentioned how his mosque has made a special effort to make this holiday enjoyable for children so they don’t feel excluded as Christmas approaches.
A graduate student in New York City, Alkhudari takes the day off to practice his religion.
“There’s a feeling of being alone, almost humiliatingly, having to ask for the day off in person,” he says. “It’s almost like someone begging for their faith and culture to be respected and acknowledged from those in power to give you the day off to celebrate.”