Eid al-Fitr
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr is a religious festival that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. The start of Eid varies each year as it traditionally begins the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon.
The Central Hilal Committee of North America (CHC) confirmed no moon was
sighted after sunset Tuesday, May 11. “Thus, the Central Hilal
Committee of North America has declared that the month of Ramadan 1442
AH will complete its 30 days, thus making Thursday, May 13, 2021,
Eid-ul-Fitr (1 Shawwal 1442 AH),” the CHC said.
Fast Facts About Eid al-Fitr
Eid is celebrated about 10 days earlier each year, as Islam follows the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar followed in the U.S.
Muslims celebrate two Eid’s every year. Eid al-Adha celebrates the story of Abraham and his son Ishmael.
Eid al-Fitr (occurring today) celebrates the end of a successful fasting period during Ramadan.
For many Muslims, Eid al-Fitr will be the first time in a month eating breakfast and lunch at traditional times.
Eid al-Fitr lasts three days and is commemorated with a morning Eid prayer at the mosque.
Following the prayer, different cultures celebrate with different Eid traditions, although many participate in gift-giving, dressing up, and sharing a family meal.
Muslims generally wish each other a happy Eid by repeating “Eid Mubarak” meaning have a blessed Eid.
One of the five pillars of Islam is zakkat, or giving money to those in need. Prior to Eid al-Fitr, Muslims give to charity so those less fortunate can celebrate Eid too.