TEXT ABOUT IDUL FITRI

EID
By: Kimberly Mitchell (Cultural and Education Officer Trinidad)
Eid ul-Fitr commonly known by its abbreviated form, Eid, meaning happiness, marks the end of
Ramadan, the month of fasting. On this special day, a typical Muslim family would get up very
early and attend special prayers held especially for the occasion at mosques, stadiums, areas or
large open spaces.
The festivities usually begin after the prayers with visits to the homes of close friends and family
members, thanking the Creator for all his blessings. Eid marks a time for unity and the renewal of
friendships and family ties.
Now the holiday follows the month of Ramadan falling on the first day of Shawwal(the tenth
month in the Islamic calendar). It begins with the sighting of the new moon and it is for this
reason that there may be regional differences on the exact date of Eid with some Muslims fasting
for twenty-nine days and others for thirty. Fasting is forbidden on this day as it marks the end of
the month-long fast of Ramadan. A Muslim is encouraged to rise early and partake of some dates
or some light snack, because for thirty days they have abstained from all food and drink from
dusk till dawn.
Muslims celebrate Eid by adorning oneself in new or the best clothing in ones possession.
Muslims express thanks to Allah by distributing alms among the poor and needy and by saying
special prayers. Gifts are also given to loved ones on this day. At the mosques, before the prayer
is said, the congregation recites the Takbiir:
Allahu akbarullahu, akbarullahu akbar
la illaha illa Allah,
Allahu akbarullahu, akbar
w'al i'llah h'ilhamd
God is Greatest, God is Greatest, God is Greatest
There is no deity but [the One] God
God is Greatest, God is Greatest
and to Him goes all praise
The Takbiir is recited after confirmation that the moon of Shawwal has been sighted on the eve
of the last day of Ramadan. It continues until the starting of the Eid prayer. Before the Eid prayer
can begin, all Muslims, women, men, and children have to pay Zakat al Fitr, an alms for the
month of Ramadan. This is usually about two kilograms of basic foodstuff (wheat, barely, dates,
raisins etc.), or a cash equivalent usually collected at the mosque. The mosque in turn distributes
these to those in need prior to the start of the Eid prayer. This can be given anytime during the
month of Ramadan and is often given early so that the receiver can use it for Eid purposes. This

is distinct to Zakat based on their wealth which must be paid to a worthy charity. This is
calculated at 2.5% of their wealth.
The Eid prayer (solah) is usually followed by the khutba (sermon) and then a prayer (dua) asking
for forgivines, help and mercy for the plight of Muslims across the world. Then they usually
embrace the persons sitting on either side of you, your family, friends and acquaintances. Eid is
also a time for reconciliations. All feuds and disputes, especially among family members are
usually settled on Eid.
Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia
In Indonesian the feast is named Idul Fitri. Sometimes, there are different statements on when the
day falls, especially between Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, because people use different
techniques to determine it. Almost all of the people follows the government of Indonesia's
statement and the different times have never sparked any riots or protests. This event is
recognized as national holiday and starts a few days before Idul Fitri and lasts some days after it.
Schools also have different schedule for the holiday as many Islamic schools usually make it a
longer holiday.
Another Idul Fitri tradition in Indonesia is mudik that usually applies to urbans who came to
Jakarta from Java or other islands in Indonesia. Before Idul Fitri comes, people will go back to
their hometowns where their relatives, sometimes including their parents, reside. This event often
causes crowding in airports, seaports, and bus stations while some who are travelling by car are
trapped in the traffic jam for hours. For little children, asking for money as well as forgiveness
from relatives is common to motivate them. Many, especially in the cities, also use the term
angpau for the money just like Chinese people do.
Eid ul-Fitr in the USA
American Muslims in the USA typically celebrate the day in a quiet way. Because the day
depends on the sighting of the moon, often families are not aware that the next day will be Eid
until the night before. Most check with members of the community to see if the moon has been
sighted by anyone. Different methods for determining the end of Ramadan and the beginning of
Shawwal are used in each particular community. Because the day is determined by the natural
phenomenon of sighting the cresent moon, the East Coast of the USA may celebrate Eid on a
different day than the West Coast of the USA.
The crescent moon can be sighted directly, or the sighting can be determined based on scientific
calculations. Typically when the determination is made in each community about which method
is to be used, the end of Ramadan is announced accordingly via e-mail, postings on websites or
chain phone calls to all members of a community. Usually working people make arrangements
for a lighter work day on the days that may possibly be the Eid day. But many American Muslims
cannot take the whole day off.
A typical Muslim family in the USA will wake up very early in the morning and have a small
breakfast. Getting ready often consists of getting dressed in fancy clothing for those who are off
all day, and work clothing for those who cannot have the day off. Next the family will go to the
nearest congregational prayer. The prayer may be held at the local mosque, hotel ballroom, arena
or stadium. The prayer is often led by a lay person in the community who is respected because of
his character and breadth of knowledge of Islam. Often these prayers are held in shifts. The first
prayer at 7 am the second at 9 am and the third at 11 am. After prayers, the Muslims disperse.

Some have to go to work, others have the day off and spend the time visiting friends and family.
Many Muslim families have Eid ul Fitr open houses on that day. Muslim children who attend
public school often take the day off and spend it with members of the family who are able to take
the day off. The day is spent thanking the Creator for all our blessings.
Because American Muslims come from all parts of the world, not any one particular food is
served on that day. Muslims believe that all blessings come from God, but each family typically
has a feast with foods of their particular heritage. For example, an American-Indian-Muslim
family would have traditional Indian food, whereas and African-American-Muslim family would
have a roast with the sides and a Chinese-American-Muslim family would have ChineseAmerican food. An intermarried family with many different cultures would have food from both
cultures on that day. Often a Muslim American family will visit the homes of friends of many
heritages on that day. A typical Muslim family may have an Asian breakfast, an Indian lunch and
an Irish dinner all in one day.
Eid ul-Fitr in Malaysia
Main article: Hari Raya Aidilfitri
In Malaysia, Eid is also commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri; Hari Raya literally means Day
of Celebration. Muslims in Malaysia celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. The
night before Eid will be filled with the takbiir which is held in the mosques or musollahs. Eid
also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of the muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural
areas. This is known as Balik Kampung literally going back to home town to celebrate Eid
with one's parents.
It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on the Eid. The dress for men is
called baju melayu while the women's are known as baju kurung. In recent years, robes, adopted
from Arabic tradition and culture, are added to the traditional attires for Eid. It is also common to
see non-Malay muslims wear costumes of their culture.
Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the grave of
their loved ones. During this visit, they will clean the grave, perform the recital of the Surah Yaa
Sin and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done in hope that their loved ones are
blessed by Allah and they are spared from the punishment in the grave. The rest of the day is
spent visiting relatives, or serving visitors. Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for this is
the day where adults are extra generous. Children will be given token sums of money, also known
as "duit raya" from their parents or elders.
Eid ul-Fitr in India and Pakistan
In Pakistan, celebration the night before Eid is called Chand Raat, or night of the moon. Women,
especially young girls often paint each others' hands with traditional mehndi (henna) tattoos and
wear colourful bangles. One of the special dishes in India, Pakistan and Fiji is savayya, a dish of
fine, toasted vermicelli noodles. Elder family members give eidi (small amount of money) and
gifts to youngsters. The celebration continues for three days. Eid ul-Fitr in Iran In the
predominately Shia culture of Iran, Eid is a highly personal event, and celebrations are often
more muted.
Typically, each Muslim family gives food to those in need. Often meat or ghorbani, which is an
expensive food item in Iran, will be given by those in wealthier families to those who have less.

Payment of fitria is obligatory for each Muslim. The tradition in many families holds that for
each member of your household on the day of Eid, one person outside of your family needs to be
fed. Many Iranian families have chelo kabab, which is skewered meat served with white rice,
grilled tomatoes, herbs and yougurt on that day.
Thanking God for all blessings is top on the list of activities for the day. The day is a national
holiday so most people spend the day at home or visiting family or going for outings in the areas
around the big cities. Eid ul-Fitr in the Gregorian Calendar While Eid ul-Fitr is always on the
same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year due
to differences between the two calendars, since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the
Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. Furthermore, the method used to determine when each
Islamic month begins varies from country to country.