The start of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal.
Muslims around the world will soon bid farewell to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and start celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Eid is marked with congregational prayers and festivities that typically include family visits, gatherings and new clothes.
This year, Eid will come just after the Israel-Hamas war crosses the somber milestone of having stretched on for half a year. During Ramadan, as Muslims around the world savored the traditions of their diverse communities, advocacy, prayers and charity for Palestinians in Gaza were high on the minds of many.
Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the month when devout Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a time of increased worship, charity, and good deeds.
Islam follows a lunar calendar and so Ramadan and Eid cycle through the seasons. This year, the first day of Eid al-Fitr is expected to be on or around April 10; the exact date may vary among countries and Muslim communities.
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, many people embark on an exodus to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. This year, an estimated 193.6 million travelers are expected to crisscross the vast archipelago for Eid in a homecoming tradition known locally as “mudik.”
In the past two years of Eid celebrations, Indonesians crammed into trains, ferries, buses and onto motorcycles as they poured out of major cities amid severe traffic congestion to return to their villages to celebrate the holiday with families. Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives, weighed down with boxes of gifts, formed long lines at bus and train stations for the journeys.
Before the holiday, popular markets teem with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets.
In Malaysia, Muslims also have a homecoming tradition for Eid. The first day usually begins with a morning prayer in the mosque, seeking forgiveness from family and friends, and visiting loved ones’ graves.
There’s an “open house” spirit that sees friends and families trading visits to celebrate Eid and enjoy traditional delicacies such as ketupat, rice cooked in a palm leaf pouch, and rendang, a meat dish stewed in spices and braised in coconut milk.
In Indonesia called lebaran. Lebaran is the Indonesian popular name for two Islamic official holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Indonesia,[1] and is one of the major national holidays in the country. Lebaran holiday officially lasts for two days in the Indonesian calendar, although the government usually declares a few days before and after the Lebaran as a bank holiday. Many individuals or families, especially Muslims take paid time off from their workplace during these days.
In Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest shrines, announced Monday that the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday. "Supreme Court declares tomorrow the last day of #Ramadan and Wednesday the first day of #Eid Al-Fitr," the official Saudi Press Agency said on its X account.
The moon sighting in Saudi Arabia holds significance for India. Due to the time difference, India, except Kerala, typically celebrates Eid a day later than Saudi Arabia. If moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, then India will celebrate Eid on Thursday, April 11.
The Bihar government has announced holidays for school teachers on Eid-ul-Fitr and Ram Navami. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered that the holidays be given on April 10 and 11 for Eid-ul-Fitr and April 17 for Ram Navami, it said. According to a statement issued by the Education Department, the CM took "discomfiture" among teachers because of the residential training programme that deprived them of the holidays.
Some regions of Russia (for example, the Republic of Tatarstan) declared the end of fasting as a holiday. In Republics of Chechnya and Dagestan, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated during three days. Traditionally, four days before the sacred holiday Chechen women do a big cleanup in their houses, sweep in stables and stalls, clean areas adjacent to houses and wash cattle. After the cleaning each member of a family is obliged to perform the ablution of the whole body and put on clean clothes. Everybody is friendly and good-natured on this day. As a sign of greetings, they say: “May Allah send His mercy both to you and us!” As a response, they say: “May Allah accept both our and your prayers!”
On Eid al-Fitr Day early in the morning all men go to mosques, where they take part in the festive worship, while hostesses prepare the festive table. No one is allowed to work on this day. By the time of Eid al-Fitr houses should be cleaned, festive clothes should be prepared and presents for all the relatives should be bought. Muslims must visit their older family members and spend some time with them in order to show their respect.
With Eid just around the corner, the UAE is full of energy as the country prepares for the festivities. People visit busy markets, looking for the ideal Kandooras (a long white robe traditionally worn by men in Gulf countries), Abayas ( a long black loose-fitting robe for women that covers the entire body except for the face, hands, and feet), and other pieces of traditional clothing
It is not just about the clothes; families also buy or prepare sweets, like cakes, biscuits, and other baked goods to share with guests during Eid. Meanwhile, women and girls in the UAE enjoy the long-standing custom of decorating their hands with henna in advance of the celebrations
In China’s northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, home to the Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority, Ramadan and Eid can be times of tension. Some groups, including Communist Party members and civil servants, may not partake in fasting because of the need for separation between religion and politics, and local security is increased to “prevent hostile forces from sabotaging religious activities.”
For Muslims elsewhere in China, who mostly belong to the Hui ethnic minority, practicing their religion, including celebrating large festivals such as Ramadan and Eid, is more relaxed.Those living in China’s largest cities celebrated with large-scale prayer at local mosques, family reunions, and feasts of breads, sweet pastries, meat, and dried and fresh fruit.
Eid al-Fitr in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Eid is called Hari Raya Idul Fitri. The celebration begins with the takbir, a call to prayer, and the Eid prayer is usually held in large open spaces. After the prayer, people visit their relatives and friends, and seek forgiveness from each other. In Indonesia, people also have the tradition of mudik, which means returning to one’s hometown for the holidays. The mudik tradition is so important that the government provides free transportation to make it easier for people to travel.
Eid in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, Eid celebrations start with the sighting of the new moon. Muslims offer Eid prayers in mosques or large open spaces, and then greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak.” The day is marked by feasting and spending time with family and friends. People visit their relatives and friends, and have a feast. They also give gifts to children and the elderly. Saudis also participate in traditional activities such as falconry, camel races, and traditional dances. Other festivities include fireworks, cultural shows, and other entertainment activities.
Eid in UAE
Eid is one of the most significant events in the UAE. It marks the end of Ramadan, and the preparations begin several days before the festival. People decorate their homes with ornaments and lights, buy new clothes, and prepare traditional sweets. On the morning of Eid, Muslims gather for their prayers. After prayers, people exchange gifts, share meals, and participate in public festivities such as fireworks, cultural shows, and carnivals.
Eid marks a time for families, friends, and communities to come together and celebrate with a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Charity is an essential part of the celebration in the UAE, and Muslims are encouraged to give to the less fortunate during Ramadan and Eid. The government, as well as various charitable organizations, distribute food, clothes, and money to ensure that everyone can participate in the festivities.
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