Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr or Id-ul-Fitr popularly known as Eid Ramazan marks the end of the Ramadan-the Islamic Holy Month of Fasting. Eid a Muslim holiday, is one of the greatest religious observances in Islam. This religious festival holds significant importance especially to the Muslim community and is celebrated on a single day that celebrates the conclusion of the thirty days of sunrise-to-sunset fasting (keeping Roze) during the entire month of Ramazan.
Eid falls on the first day of the Shawwal month, the month that follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. This year Eid is expected to be celebrated on Tuesday, 29th July, though the dates cannot be predetermined due to the nature of Islamic lunar calendar and sighting of the moon.
According to the historical records, the month of Ramazan is related to the two major victories of Prophet Mohammed-the Battle of Badr and the Conquest of Makkah. The prime reason behind declaring the month of Ramadan as the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar is because it has been mentioned in the Holy Book of Quran that during the period of these thirty days, Prophet Mohammed was blessed with spiritual knowledge of Islam.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims show their gratitude to ‘Allah’ by incorporating the lessons that the Holy Quran has preached them such as:
- Devoting oneself to the God
- Recognizing one’s blessings and thanking God for the same
- Remembering the plight of the poor and indulging in charitable activities on this day
Traditional Celebrations
Muslims across the world gather in the local mosques to offer congregational prayers, read aloud the Namaz in the presence of the Imam, which is followed by giving Fitr (alms). People observe the fast (Roza) very strictly right from sunrise to sunset for these thirty days wherein they do not consume food, water and even do not swallow their saliva. During the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims across the world celebrate the end of fasting and thank Allah for giving them the strength in the previous month. The devotees break the month-long fast on the last day of the Ramadan month, by sighting the crescent moon in the evening.After breaking their fast, they relish delicious food items such as Nawabi Biryani, Seviyan, Sufi Malpua, Sheer Korma etc. and all the family members prefer to have the meal together so as to build a feeling of unity and spread happiness and love all around. Children receive money, gifts, sweets and clothes from their elders on the auspicious occasion of Meethi Eid. This is a time to rejoice and make merry.
Tips to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr:
- Narrate stories about Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and the historical significance of celebrating the festival to your children.
- Invite your friends and relatives at your place to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr together.
- Dress up your children in traditional clothes specifically green and white colour.
- Buy bangles for the little girls to match with their clothes and apply heena (mehndi) on their hands.
- Brighten-up your home by decorating it with lights.
- Prepare special delicacies especially ‘Sevaiyan’ customary to be prepared on the occasion of ‘Meethi Eid’.
- Help your child to make prayer beads with strings and colourful plastic beads while reciting the name of Allah.
- Engage your children to make Eid greeting cards for their grandparents, siblings, cousins etc.
- Tell your children to greet everyone by hugging them and seek blessings from the elders by wishing them Eid Mubarak.
- Indulge in charitable activities during the holy month of Ramazan-Eid of Alms giving.
So, celebrate the auspicious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr with your family and friends & express gratitude towards Allah.
Eid Mubarak!!
