Eid al-Fitr: the festival of breaking the fast
Islam is one of the largest religions in this era. Pious Muslims have two Eid days in each lunar calendar. One is Eid al-Fitr and the other is Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr comes before Eid al-Adha. Muslim nations celebrate their biggest religious festival “Eid al-Fitr”, also known as “Eid ul-Fitr”, once a year. This is the day for enjoying with closest persons.
What and When Is Eid al-Fitr?
After thirty (or twenty‑nine) days of fasting according to Islamic rules in the Arabic lunar month of Ramadan, every Muslim deserves a day known as Eid al-Fitr. Muslims celebrate Eid every Arabic lunar year on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
Background of Eid al-Fitr
From the time of Islam’s origination, the rule of observing the fast — Saom or Sawm — has been maintained till now. In this Sawm, a Muslim has to fast according to Islamic rules from dawn to dusk to make Allah happy. For this one month’s Sawm, Allah has gifted His best creation “Eid al-Fitr” as a flood of happiness.
Doings in Eid al-Fitr
Sectarian prayers and Khutba (sermon) from the Qur’an and Hadith are delivered by the Islamic imams. These prayers are held in large sports arenas known as Eidgah. Thousands of people wearing new clothes come to pray together. On this day, the wealthy forget their riches and mix with the poor. Zakat (obligatory charity) is a way of helping the poor with money, food, clothes or other means in Islam.
Islam reminds every Muslim to help one another, pray to Allah and seek solutions to all problems. Eid al-Fitr is a great gift for Muslims to come closer to each other.
Muslims invite their closest persons or relatives to their homes, prepare festive meals and enjoy together. They send invitations or greeting cards featuring the words “Eid Mubarak”. In a nutshell, Eid‑ul‑Fitr is a joyous day for Muslims.
Celebration in Different Countries
Eid ul Fitr is a national holiday in all Muslim countries. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, etc. celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the day after the new moon is sighted on the last evening of Ramadan. Every year Saudi Arabia and other nearest countries celebrate Eid al-Fitr first. It depends on the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
National Festivals in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, this day is celebrated according to the Islamic lunar calendar. (Saturday, 21 March 2026 in the Gregorian calendar). The central Eid Jamaat is held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises. The second largest congregation is at Baitul Mukarram Masjid, the national mosque of Bangladesh. On this day people greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak” — the traditional Muslim greeting — via phone, SMS and other e‑card greetings. Usually men wear pajama, panjabi and tupi; young girls wear salwar kameez. Every Eid new fashions appear in society.
The Educational Value
Thirty days at a stretch, Sawm teaches Muslims to understand the sorrows around them. Ramadan lets them pray accordingly and shows ways to meet God and the truth. Eid al-Fitr brings happiness to both rich and poor. Relationships and brotherhood become stronger because of this day. Eid al-Fitr upholds the meaning of being a living human being.
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