The three-day Muslim festival marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
As the fasting month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims around the world will prepare for Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast.”
Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid celebrations will likely begin on Monday, May 2, or Tuesday, May 3, depending on where you are in the world.
Lunar months are 29 or 30 days long, so Muslims generally have to wait until after sunset on the 29th to check their date.
On the night of the 29th of the month, local moon watchers will scan the horizon for the crescent Moon. If the new moon is visible, the next day will be Eid.
If not, Muslims will fast one more day to complete a 30-day month.
When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on televisions, radio stations and mosques.
According to the UK HM Nautical Almanac Officethe new moon will arrive at 20:28 GMT on Saturday 30 April but a worldwide sighting will not be visible that night.
Most of the world will be able to easily observe the crescent Moon the following night, Sunday, May 1.
How do Muslims celebrate Eid?
Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days in all Muslim-majority countries.
However, the number of vacation days varies by country.
Muslims begin the Eid day celebrations by participating in the prayer service that takes place shortly after sunrise, followed by a short sermon.
On the way to prayer, which traditionally takes place in an open area, Muslims recite takbiratpraising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, which means “God is great”.
It is customary to eat something sweet before prayer such as dateStuffed cookies known as maamoul.
People congratulate each other when they return home after Eid prayers. They spend the day visiting relatives and neighbors and accepting sweets as they go from house to house.
Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day. These foods range from cookies and specialty breads to cakes and puddings.
The children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.
In some countries, families visit cemeteries to pay their respects to deceased relatives.
It is common for the capitals of Muslim-majority countries to adorn their cities with lights and celebrate festivities to mark the end of Ramadan.
What are common Eid greetings?
The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid).
Eid greetings also vary by country and language.
The chart below shows Eid greetings in different languages.
