Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr

By Bobbie Ysabelle Matias

Muslims around the world are set to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on March 31 or April 1, depending on the crescent moon sighting in their countries.

Also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, wherein Muslims practice self-restraint and abstain from eating and drinking before dawn until sunset.

Eid al-Fitr is considered one of the two major holidays in Islam, alongside Eid al-Adha, and is usually celebrated for three consecutive days. 

During this time, Muslims greet each other with Eid Mubarak, meaning “Eid blessings.”

The day begins with a community-wide special prayer service at their local masjid – an Arabic term for mosque – called Salat al-Eid, followed by a sermon from the imam. 

It is compulsory for men to attend this service, but women also have a choice to participate, with mosques having separate sections for males and females.

Muslims are required to pay the Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charity that is distributed to the less fortunate to ensure that everyone can participate in the Eid festivities.

Afterwards, they will have a gathering with their families or friends, during which gifts are exchanged and money called Eidi is given to children.

While the prayer and alms-giving during Eid is the same for Muslims around the globe, different countries have certain traditions and food unique to where they live.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, Eid al-Fitr is also known as Lebaran or Hari Raya Idul Fitri and is considered a national holiday in the Southeast Asian country.

Indonesians commemorate Eid by going back to their hometown, a pilgrimage called Mudik or Pulang Kampung. 

This is often done to visit one’s parents or meet extended family.

It can also be the perfect time to ask for forgiveness, and one can see people greeting each other “Minal Aidin wal Faizin, mohon maaf lahir dan batin”.

“Minal Aidin wal Faizin” is a blessing in Arabic, meaning “May we be among those who achieve victory” or “May we be among those who return to the state of purity”.

According to an interviewed Indonesian Muslim, “mohon maaf lahir dan batin” directly translates to “I seek forgiveness, both outwardly and inwardly” or “I apologize for my wrongdoings, both outwardly and inwardly”.

As such, this greeting, which is common for Indonesian Muslims, is a way to ask others for forgiveness while also wishing them victory and purity after Ramadan.

One of the dishes traditionally served during Eid in Indonesia is Ketupat, which is rice cooked in diamond-shaped pockets made out of coconut leaves. 

It is normally served with other dishes like Opor ayam, a chicken dish cooked in coconut milk, due to its bland taste.

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Pakistan

Pakistani Muslims begin their preparation for Eid, or Eid ul-Fitr as it is called in the South Asian nation, a week before the holiday’s exact date.

During this time, people go to markets to buy new clothes that they will wear for Eid.

On the day itself, women will often apply henna or mehndi – a temporary tattoo applied using a reddish dye made from the dried and powdered leaves of the henna tree – and put on jewellery.

Men, on the other hand, can be seen wearing traditional shalwar kameez or kurta.

A special dish called sheer khorma, a dessert made of milk and vermicelli, is traditionally prepared during Eid in Pakistan. 

It is also enjoyed by Muslims in India, Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia.

Palestine

Much like other countries in the Levantine region of the Middle East, it is traditional in Palestine to make sweets to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

This includes Maamoul, a shortbread cookie stuffed with various fillings, such as date paste and crushed walnuts or pistachios.

Maamoul is made and decorated by hand, with its decorations varying depending on its fillings.

Palestinians also make a traditional pastry called Ka’ak, which is typically a ring-shaped cookie or bread that is either filled with date paste or dusted with sesame seeds, depending on its kind.

While making sweets for Eid is an important tradition for Palestinian Muslims, doing so will most likely be difficult this year due to the renewed conflict between Hamas and Israel.

In 2024, Palestinians marked Eid in tents, with families unable to prepare the usual festivities associated with the holiday due to a lack of resources.

Nigeria

Being the African country with the largest population of Muslims, Nigeria also has a unique way of commemorating Eid, also known as Sallah in the Hausa language.

A procession called Sallah durbar is often conducted as part of Eid celebrations in Nigeria, which has over 100 million people practising Islam.

The durbar procession is held twice a year and is a cultural heritage symbol of the Nigerian city of Kano and some ancient towns in Northern Nigeria.

Spanning four days, the event features horsemen and equestrian parades led by the emir or a traditional ruler of the predominantly Muslim parts of Nigeria.

United States

Muslim Americans are a minority in the United States, and with Eid al-Fitr not recognized as a holiday by the federal government, celebrations in the country are muted compared to Islamic nations.

Not all Muslims in America are able to get time off during Eid, but if they do, they will commemorate it with their family and community by going to their local mosque for the usual prayers.

Some mosques will conduct various activities afterwards and give out pastries, tea and toys for the kids.

Other American Muslim families have also created their own traditions following festivities at the mosque. 

Some choose to eat in their favourite food establishments, donning their fanciest clothes, while others go home to be with their other relatives to exchange greetings and gifts.

Meanwhile, those whose families are not nearby or have recently converted to Islam may also celebrate Eid by attending activities specifically organised for them by their mosque.

Germany

Known as Zuckerfest or “Sugar Feast” in Germany, Muslims in the European country mark the end of Ramadan by splurging on food and sweet treats, which are also often given as gifts to children.

German Muslims prepare for Zuckerfest by purchasing new clothes and cleaning their homes from top to bottom.

On the day itself, Muslims gather in mosques for Salat and other Eid festivities. 

Families and communities will then enjoy dishes such as biryani, samosas and sweets together.

Russia

Eid celebrations in Russia may vary depending on which part of the country you are in.

In the North Caucasian republics, children can be found outside early in the morning with open bags full of candies and other sweets they collect from house to house.

Apart from lamb soup and halvah, Muslims in Dagestan also make sure to prepare eggs with bright stickers as it is an integral part of the republic’s Eid celebrations.

Meanwhile, those living in mountain villages like Makhachkala can be seen wearing brighter and fancier clothes, with women choosing dresses embroidered with beads or sequins, while elders wear traditional papakhas.

Different cultures, one faith

The holy month of Ramadan is more than just not eating or drinking, according to Tabarka, a Pakistani Muslim. 

It is a month of patience and about restraining yourself from “all kinds of sins.”

“Fasting all day long and then being able to break your fast at sunset and having a meal to eat makes you appreciate the blessings you have. [It] inculcates in you the desire to help those less fortunate than you,” he explained.

Therefore, Eid is a reward for going through a “trial period”. 

It is a time for Muslims to thank Allah for the strength and privilege provided to them during Ramadan.

Most importantly, Eid serves as a reminder to not forget the lessons one gained during Ramadan and to follow everything they have learned even after the holy month and Eid have ended.

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