Eid al-Fitr Celebrations - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Men praying at the end of Ramadan. Photo: Ibtimes

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the annual fasting period for Muslims around the world. The fasting period is called 'the holy fasting month of Ramadan.' The end of Ramadan starts with
morning prayers. I have put together things you never know about the festive season.

1. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2013, Ramadan began at sundown on July 9th.
2. For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 300 million in West Africa—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. During the holy month of Ramadan followers are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn to dusk and focus on Allah (God).
3. Eid Al-Fitr begins after the sighting of the new crescent moon.  The chief Imam who is a Muslim leader informs his community that the moon has been sighted and the 30 day long fasting comes to an end.
4. The Eid holiday, which lasts several days, falls at the start of the lunar month of Shawwal although the exact date on which the celebrations begin depends on the sighting of the new moon.
5. Festivities began on Wednesday in the West African country of Mali but did not start until Thursday in Saudi Arabia and it will start on Friday in Pakistan according to local Muslim leaders. This is because the moon is sighted at different times in different areas.
6. American Muslims will celebrate Eid on Thursday because they use astronomical equipment to calculate the end of the holy month. Many other countries simply follow the lead of Saudi Arabia. So, once the moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia most other countries simply end the holy month.
7. The celebrations start with early morning prayers. Most people go to their local mosques (places of worship). Muslims wake up early and dress up beautifully in their best clothes. The men wear long flowing shirt with trousers and small white hats while the women equally well dressed cover up their hair with mostly expensive white or colourful scarves.
8. Before prayers in the mosque, Muslims must remove their shoes because the mosque is holy ground. They must wash their feet, hands, face and head with water before praying. Those who pray at home must do the same. For Muslims, prayers can be said anywhere. It does not have to be in the mosque - it could be in an open space
9. The Imam calls people for prayers. When they arrive, he stands in front of the worshipers and leads the prayers. Everyone faces on direction and prayers in unison. Men and women pray in seperate areas.
10. After prayers, people go to visit family and friends eating, merry-making and congratulating each other after the long period of abstinence. Some people exchange gifts. There is no killing of rams during Eid al-Fitr, this happens during Eid al-Adha usually takes place in October.
11.  Eid Mubarak is a traditional Muslim greeting used during the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. Eid refers to the occasion itself, and Mubarak is an Arabic phrase which means "Blessed."
12. Celebrations last for two to three days in most parts of the world. In West Africa, Eid is declared a public holiday. In the UK, there is no public holiday but Muslim shop keepers close shop and employees may be allowed take the days off to celebrate.

Learn more about the Ramadan and the Muslim faith here

PLUS, read iShine Magaine here