The Muslim festival of Eid ul Fitr is now upon us to celebrate the end of Ramadan - the month of fasting on the first day of the 10th month of the Islamic calendar and in 2023 begins today. Saudi Arabia confirmed the crescent moon sighting and said that Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on April 21.
During Ramadan Muslims were fasting by refraining from eating or drinking during hours of daylight, whilst also remembering the month the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Now is the time for the special celebrations.
The celebration is a time when people celebrate the accomplishment of ending the fast of Ramadan, when, during Eid ul-Fitr ("the festival of breaking the fast”), people will be cleaning their homes, bake sweet treats, prepare their Eid clothes, and make plans to mark the occasion. As many will be dressed up in their finest clothing, give gifts to children and spending time with their families, they will be attending special services at mosques to thank Allah and share a big meal for the first time again during the daytime.
Beginning with prayers at dawn, designed to be performed in a congregation, celebrations also signal the first day of Shawwal, a new month in the Islamic calendar. However, some countries may celebrate Eid on different days due to their own sighting of the new moon in their country.
Other countries will be celebrating Eid ul Fitr tomorrow (Saturday, April 22).
Eid Mubarak!
