Eid al-Fitr, more commonly known as Eid, is an Islamic religious holiday celebrating the conclusion of the month of dawn-to-sunset fasting known as Ramadan.
Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The dawn-to-sunset fasting includes refraining from any form of drink or food, and increasing the offering of prayers and reciting of the Quran.
Eid has no connection to any historical event – it is a day where Muslims thank Allah for the strength, will and endurance he gives them, especially during Ramadan.
The date on which Eid begins varies from year to year and country to country, and depends on when the new crescent moon is first seen after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding lunar month, in any given location. If the moon is not spotted immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month, then Eid starts on the following day. In most Muslim countries, Eid lasts for as long as three days.
This year, South African Muslims celebrated Eid on 6 July. The News wishes all of its Muslim readers a blessed Eid.
