Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr this July 6

Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as Ramzan Id, Eid-al-Fitr or Idul-Fitr, is an auspicious day for Muslims worldwide. It celebrates the end of Ramadan, which is the Islamic holy month of fasting, and at the same time, it also marks the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. Muslims all over the world celebrate the conclusion of their 29/30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the month of Ramadan.

When is Eid celebrated?

Eid falls on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. The date for the start of Shawwal, like that of any lunar Hijri month varies depending on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities. So, the date of observance of Eid-ul-Fitr may vary locality to locality. However, mostly Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated across countries on the same day as Saudi Arabia, the day when the crescent moon of Eid appears over the sky above Mecca.

This year Eid-ul-Fitr 2016 is falling on July 6.

How do people celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

Muslims worldwide offer their communal Eid-ul-Fitr Salat (Islamic prayer), which consists of 2 Rakats (units). Their communal prayers mostly take place in an open field or a large hall. They also listen to a sermon at Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Muslims, who haven’t given Zakat-al-Fitr (charity) during Ramadan, do charity on Eid-ul-Fitr. The charity they offer as Zakat-al-Fitr generally consists of actual food such as rice, barley, dates, raisins, wheat flour, etc., to ensure that the needy can enjoy a proper meal. Sometimes, Muslims also give a monetary equivalent of food to the poor. It is also common for Islamic communities to organize communal meals on this auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

They wear new clothes and go to visit family members and friends after their prayers. They greet each other and exchange sweets and small presents to celebrate the occasion. They make phone calls to distant relatives to share wishes with them as well. Children get showered with presents from every elder who visits them.

Public Life on Eid-ul-Fitr in India

Eid-ul-Fitr is a gazetted holiday in India and is observed by national, state and local government offices, post offices, banks and many schools and colleges as well. Most of the Islamic stores and businesses either remain closed or open only for limited hours. Their prayer offerings and large marches may cause delays to traffic. Areas with predominant Muslim population and the areas which are close to large mosques may experience delayed traffic or even closed diverted ways.

Interesting Facts about Eid

Eid is the only single day of the year when Muslims aren’t permitted to fast.
The Arabic name of Eid – ‘Eid-al-Fitr’, when translated to English, means – ‘festival of the breaking of the fast’.
The day of celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr also marks the anniversary of the day when the Quran, Muslims holy book, was revealed.
It is customary to eat something sweet before offering the special prayer of Eid.

What else can you do this Eid?

Along with exchanging wishes for the day, there is another thing that you can all do. And that is to visit your nearby theatres and watch actor Salman Khan’s awaited sports-drama film, Sultan. Produced under the Yash Raj Films banner and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, this film starring Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles, is going to hit the theatres on July 6, this Eid-ul-Fitr.