Eid al Fitr
By Isabel Silverman, Megan Doherty, and Erin McDermott
Date
History
The Eid al Fitr festival started when Muhammad arrived in Medinah and found the people celebrating for two-three days. He asked why they were celebrating, and the people told him the festivities were an occasion for recreation and fun during the jahiliyyah and to celebrate the end of Ramadan and give thanks to God that they had enough strength to fast.
Rituals
The holiday of Eid al Fitr is a holy festival that marks the end of Ramadan, and it is a time of visiting friends and family. The festival can last from one to three days and on the first day Muslims do a ritual all day. First they wake up early and take a bath. They put on their best clothes and perfume. Then they eat a sweet dish or some fruits and walk to Masjid for Eid Salaat. Eid Salaat is mainly performed in wide congregation areas. If people are away for work or school they travel back home to be with their friends and family. They nave large meals together and exchange gifts and greeting cards. It is also customary to decorate house and give to charity on Eid al-Fitr. These ritual are way of showing happiness and giving thanks. But as a whole, it is a celebration of the end of fasting.
Chocolate Harlequin Biscuits
Family Dinner
Praying
Did you know?
In english Eid al-Fitr means, “The feast of fast breaking” or “Lesser feast."
Work Cited
BBC News. BBC. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolate_harlequin_04109>.
"Eid Al-Fitr 2014: History and Interesting Facts About the Islamic Festival Celebrated at the End of Ramadan." International Business Times RSS. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. <http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eid-al-fitr-2014-history-end-ramadan-1458508>.
"Eid Al-Fitr in United States." Eid Al-Fitr in United States. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. <http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/eid-al-fitr>.
Gordon, Matthew S. Islam: World Religions. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1991. Print.
"History Of Eid Ul Fitr." History Of Eid Ul Fitr. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. <http://www.eid.net.in/eid-ul-fitr/history.htm>.