The Eid-fitr 2019 is kinda already upon us and June 4 and June 5 have been decared as public holidays by the Federal Government for the celebrations.
Eid-Fitr is Arabic for “festival of the breaking of the fast.” Some Muslims liken the day to “the Muslim version of Christmas.”
The Eid-fitr festival marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan.
The holiday begins with a greeting: either “Eid Mubarak” or “Blessed Eid,” both of which can be translated to “have a blessed holiday,”
Because the timing of Eid al-Fitr is based on sighting of the moon as per the Islamic lunar calendar, it can be difficult to predict when the festival will happen in any given country.
While some Muslims wait to see the moon themselves, many either use the calculated time of the new moon, or base it on the declaration made in Saudi Arabia or Turkey.
How it is celebrated:
In the morning, Muslims gather at mosques and prayer areas to perform Eid Prayer and greet each other. The festival is celebrated by visiting friends and relatives, hosting food parties and sharing sweets.
Children not only get new clothes and shoes, but also receive cash gifts called “Eidi” from their elders and relatives.
The occasion is seen as a time of forgiveness and of giving thanks to Allah for helping people to complete their spiritual fasting.
Many Muslims display their thanks by giving donations and food to those less fortunate than themselves.
