Muslims to mark end of month-long fast
Eid ul-Fitr‚ which is Arabic for “festival of breaking the fast”‚ is a three-day religious festival celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world.
The sighting of the crescent would signify the end of Ramadan‚ the holy Islamic month in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
As the moon was not sighted ‚ Eid ul-fitr would be celebrated on Monday June 26.
This was confirmed by Courier reader, Afzal Khan, who said: “The Hilaal for Shawwal has NOT been sighted. 1st Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr) will be Mon 26th June.”
Eid ul-Fitr‚ which is Arabic for “festival of breaking the fast”‚ is a three-day religious festival celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world
Eid-ul-Fitr (festival of breaking of the fast) is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan (the 9th month of the Islamic calendar). The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of the new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. The Islamic Calendar is different from the widely-used Gregorian calendar. It is based on the moon’s cycle, whereas the Gregorian one is determined by the sun. As the two don’t align, the Islamic dates move back by 11 days each year.
Eid-ul-Fitr has a particular Salat (prayer) consisting of two Rakats (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall. The Eid salat must only be performed in congregation (Jama’at).
Muslims continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay their fitra (charity which is incumbent upon every Muslim on this day) before offering the Eid prayer.
Thereafter, the day is spent visiting the elderly and sick, and family and friends, and partaking of traditional delicacies, which varies between the Muslim cultures in different countries across the globe. It is the fervent hope of every Muslim that they continue in the spirit of Ramadan, holding fast onto the principles of brotherhood, unity, kindness and generosity long after the month has ended.
