Profile Facts: Eid ul-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr‎),

often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break fast"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.

Eid ul-Fitr lasts for three days of celebration (or more, depending on the country) and is sometimes also known as the "Smaller Eid" (Arabic: العيد الصغير al-‘īdu ṣ-ṣaghīr‎) as compared to the Eid al-Adha that lasts three days (or more) following the Hajj and is casually referred to as the "Greater Eid" (Arabic: العيد الكبير al-‘īdu l-kabīr‎).

Muslims are commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid.

General rituals

Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Īd mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Īd sa‘īd ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings based on local language and traditions.

Typically, Muslims wake up relatively early in the morning—always before sunrise— take a shower (Sunat Eidulfitri) and ablution, wear new clothes(if possible), go to the mosque for Takbir and Subh prayer.

It is recommended to have a small breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day) of preferably the date fruit, before attending a special Eid prayer (salah) that is performed in congregation at mosques or open areas like fields, squares etc. Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes (new if possible) for the occasion. No adhan or iqama (Call) is to be pronounced for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two rakaʿāts. The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua') asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for all living beings across the world. The khutbah also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat. It is then customary to embrace the persons sitting on either side of oneself, whilst greeting them. After the prayers, people also visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Islamic tradition

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting of Ramadan. This has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community. Fasting is believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm.

Practices by country

United Kingdom

There is a Khutbah (sermon) in which the Imam gives advice to the Muslim community and usually Muslims are encouraged to end any past animosities they may have. He then goes on to the khutbah and then the prayer itself. When the local imam declares Eid Al-Fitr everyone greets and hugs each other.

As Eid Al-Fitr is not a recognised public holiday in the United Kingdom, Muslims are obliged to attend the morning prayer. In a large ethnically Muslim area, normally schools and local businesses give exemptions to the Muslim community to take three days off. In the rest of the UK it is not recognised as it is not on a fixed date as it is decided by the sighting of the moon on the night before.

During the morning, men usually wear thawb, jubba, sherwani, and women usually wear salwar kameez. Men go to the mosque for the Eid prayers, after which people greet each other. After this many will go to a local cemetery to pay respect and to remember the deceased. When they return home they will greet family, friends, other Muslims and visit relatives across the city. People cook traditional food for their relatives. Bengali dishes such as samosas, Siweya, rice and Handesh, Noonor Bora, and fulab are particularly popular.

Turkey

Traditional Bayram wishes from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stating "Let us love, Let us be loved", in the form of mahya lights stretched across the minarets of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

In Turkey, where Ramadan celebrations are infused with more national traditions, and where country-wide celebrations, are referred to as Bayram. It is customary for people to greet one another with "Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun" or "Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun" ("May Your Bayram Be Holy"). "Mutlu Bayramlar" ("Happy Bayram") is an alternative phrase for celebrating Bayram.

Referred to as both Şeker Bayramı ("Bayram of Sweets") or Ramazan Bayramı ("Ramadan Bayram"), Eid in Turkey is a public holiday, where schools and government offices are generally closed for the entire period of the celebrations.

It is a time for people to attend prayer services, put on their best clothes (referred to as "Bayramlık", often purchased just for the occasion) and to visit all their loved ones (such as friends, relatives and neighbors) and pay their respects to the deceased with organized visits to cemeteries, where large, temporary bazaars of flowers, water (for watering the plants adorning a grave), and prayer books are set up for the three-day occasion. The first day of the Bayram is generally regarded as the most important, with all members of the family waking up early, and the men going to their neighborhood mosque for the special Bayram prayer.

It is regarded as especially important to honor elderly citizens by kissing their right hand and placing it on one's forehead while wishing them Bayram greetings. It is also customary for young children to go around their neighborhood, door to door, and wish everyone a happy Bayram, for which they are awarded candy, chocolates, traditional sweets such as Baklava and Turkish Delight, or a small amount of money at every door, in an almost Halloween-like fashion.

Municipalities all around the country organize fundraising events for the poor, in addition to public shows such as concerts or more traditional forms of entertainment such as the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow-theatre and even performances by the Mehter - the Janissary Band that was founded during the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Helping the less fortunate, ending past animosities and making up, organizing breakfasts and dinners for loved ones and putting together neighborhood celebrations are all part of the occasion, where homes and streets are decorated and lit up for the celebrations, and television and radio channels continuously broadcast a variety of special Bayram programs, which include movie specials, musical programming and celebratory addresses from celebrities and politicians alike

Iran

In the predominantly Shia culture of Iran, Eid is a highly personal event, and celebrations are often more muted. Called Eyde Fetr by most Iranians, charity is important on that day. Visiting the elderly and gathering with families and friends is also very common. Typically, each Muslim family gives food to those in need. Payment of fitra or fetriye is obligatory for each Muslim. Often meat or ghorbani (literally translated as sacrifice, for it is usually a young lamb or calf that is sacrificed for the occasion), which is an expensive food item in Iran, will be given by those in wealthier families to those who have less. The offering of meat is generally a part of the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations and sacrifices (Qurban) are generally not given during the Eid-ul-fitr celebrations.

Eid prayers

Public Eid prayers are held in every mosque and in public places. The biggest prayer is held in Mosalla (a spacious place for prayer) where the Supreme Leader leads the prayer.

South Asia

In Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, the night before Eid is called Chaand Raat, which means, night of the moon. People often visit bazaars and shopping malls, with their families and children, for last minute Eid shopping. Women, especially young girls, often paint each others' hands with traditional Mehndi and wear colourful bangles.

During Eid, the traditional greeting is Eid Mubarak, and frequently also includes a formal embrace. Gifts are frequently given—new clothes are traditional — and it is also common for children to be given small sums of money (Eidi) by their elders. It is common for children to "salam" parents and adult relatives, they usually get money from the adult relative, if the family is middle class or wealthy.

After the Eid prayers, it is common for families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members.

Special celebratory dishes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, and Fiji include sivayyan, a dish of fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk and dried fruit.[4] In Bangladesh, the dish is called shemai.

Some people also avail themselves of this opportunity to distribute zakat, the Islamic obligatory alms tax on one's wealth, to the needy.

In India the some popular places where Muslims congregate to celebrate Eid at this time are the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, in Kolkata there is a prayer held on the Red Road. People can be spotted in thousands, there is a lot of excitement in the celebration of this festival. Eid is a public holiday and is celebrated all over India. Even non-Muslims visit their Muslim friends on this occasion, to convey their good wishes.

Unlike rest of the Muslim world, South Asians celebrate Eid-ul-fitr for three days.

Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei

Indonesia, as of 2008, has the largest Muslim population in the world. Eid is known in Indonesia as Idul Fitri (or more informally as Lebaran). It is a national holiday, with the exact date determined by local lunar observation. Generally speaking, in the Gregorian calendar Idul Fitri "moves back" 11 days per year. For example, in 2009 Idul Fitri occurred on September 21 and 22, and while for 2010 it is anticipated to fall on September 10 and 11 with possible variance of two to three days either side.

Additionally, in Indonesia Idul Fitri has a legally mandated salary bonus for all employees, known as Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR) as enforced by Indonesia's Department of Labour, Employment and Society ("Departemen Pengawasan Dinas Tenaga Kerja dan Sosial"). The mandated amount of this salary bonus differs by region. For example, within the Jakarta region the THR bonus must be at least Rp 1 million but not less than one month's full salary paid in advance of Idul Fitri, in addition to the employee's regular salary. Thus, Idul Fitri is also a "paid holiday". Breaching or withholding THR is a very serious labour law infraction and punished severely, regardless of employer status or position.

In Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Eid is more commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means 'Celebration Day'.

It is the biggest holiday in Indonesia and one of the biggest in Malaysia. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Idul Fiti, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country and traffic mayhem. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for the duration of the Idul festivities, known collectively as the Lebaran.

Additionally, the wealthier classes often "escape" to local hotels, or commonly Singapore and Australia to avoid not having domestic servants, drivers or sometimes, security personnel. Singaporean, Malaysia and Indonesian hotels have been particularly successful marketing lucrative Lebaran or Idul Fitri "escape package".

One of the largest temporary human migrations globally, is the prevailing custom of the Lebaran where workers, particularly unskilled migrants labourers such as maids and construction labourers return to one's home town or city and ask forgiveness from ones' parents, in-laws and elders. This is known as mudik, pulang kampung or in Malaysian balik kampung.

The night before Idul Fitri is filled with the sounds of many muezzin singing the takbir held in the mosques or mushollahs. In many parts of Indonesia as well as Malaysia, especially in rural areas, pelita or panjut or lampu colok (as known by Malay-Singaporeans) (oil lamps, similar to tiki torches) are lit up and placed outside and around the house. Special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo) and other Indo-Malay (and in the case of Malaysia, also Nyonya) delicacies are served during this day.

The lively or alternatively very emotional devotional music and sung Quranic verse associated with this period is known as Kaisidah or more correctly, Qasida. It is commonly performed by famous musicians, some of whom may be international stars and is televised nation-wide.

It is common to greet people with "Selamat Idul Fitri" or "Salam Aidilfitri" (in Malaysia) which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "mohon maaf lahir dan batin" in Indonesia and "maaf zahir dan batin" in Malaysia, which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", because Idul Fitri is not only for celebrations but a time for atonement: to ask for forgiveness for sins which they may have committed but was cleansed as a result of the fasting in the Muslim month of Ramadan.

It is customary for Muslim-Indonesians and Muslim-Malaysians to wear a traditional cultural costume on Idul Fitri. The Indonesian male costume is known as baju koko: a collarless long or short-sleeve shirt with traditional embroidered designs with a "kilt" sarung of songket, ikat or similar woven, plaid-cloth or alternatively either modern business-suit trousers or more traditional loose-fitting trousers of similar colour to the shirt, and either a peci hat or regional cultural head wear and songkok. Malaysian variant is known as the baju Melayu, shirt worn with a sarong known as kain samping and a headwear known as songkok.

Female costume is known as kebaya krudung. It consists of, normally, a loose-fitting blouse (which may be enhanced with brocade and embroidery), a long skirt both of which may be batik, or the sarung skirt made of batik, ikat or songket and either the jilbab (hijab) or its variant the stiffened krudung. Malaysian costume is referred to as Baju Kurung and baju kebaya. It is a common practice however for the Muslim-Malaysians in Singapore to refer to the baju kurung in reference to the type of outfit, worn by men. It should be noted this term is not used in Indonesia, as it is an example of humorous poor translation between Malaysian and Indonesian, as kurung means a cage, parentheses, or a sack, depending on the context.

For non-Austronesian Muslims, or even non-Muslims they may don costumes of their respective culture and tradition, or wear "Islamic" clothes to show respect to their relatives' or friends' differing religious beliefs for the occasion. This is particularly common in Indonesia, where many families have close friends or relatives of differing faiths, namely Catholic, some Protestant and Muslim.

Once the prayer is completed, it is common for Muslims in both Indonesia and Malaysia to visit the graves of loved ones. During this visit, they clean the grave, recite Ya-Seen, a chapter (surah) from the Qur'an and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done to ask God to forgive the dead and also those who are living for all their sins.

The Javanese majority of Indonesia are known for their Kejawen traditions of washing the headstone using scented water from the traditional terracotta water-jug, the kendi, and sprinkling hyacinth and jasmine over the graves.

In Indonesia there is a special ritual called halal bi-halal. During this, Muslim-Indonesians visit their elders, in the family, the neighborhood, or their work, and show respect to them. They will also seek reconciliation (if needed), and preserve or restore harmonious relations.

The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. Idul Fitri is a very joyous day for children as the adults give them money. They also celebrate by lighting traditional bamboo cannon firecrackers known as meriam bambu Ramadhan, using kerosene in large hollow bamboo tubes or Chinese imported crackers. The traditional bamboo cannon, meriam bambu are notoriously loud and can be very dangerous to operator, bystander and even nearby buildings.

These are usually bamboo tubes 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) long, filled with either: water and several hundred grams of calcium carbide, or heated kerosene, then ignited by match.

Celebrating with firecrackers in the early morning during Ramadan is now banned in many areas- though many rascals evade the law and disturb the neighbourhood.

In Malaysia, children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya," from their parents or elders.

Myanmar/Burma

In Myanmar (ASEAN nations officially refer to Myanmar/Burma exclusively as Myanmar), Eid ul-Fitr lasts for only one day for Burmese Muslims. They call this day Eid Nei’ (Nei’=day) or Eid Ka Lay (Ka Lay=small) or Shai Mai Eid, because Shai Mai or sayviah/sweet vermicelli served with fried cashews, coconut shreds, raisins with milk is the main Burmese Muslim traditional food cooked during the Burmese Muslim Eids.

Although it is not a public holiday in Myanmar, most employers have an understanding and are usually willing to give an unrecorded holiday to the Muslim staff. They even used to take time off during the office hour to visit their Muslim staff, usually accompanied by other non-Muslim staff under them.

As there is no single Islamic authority in Myanmar to give a decision, it is sometimes difficult to get an agreement about the sighting of the moon for the Eid or the start of Ramadan. So even in a small town or a village, Eid could be celebrated on different days. So it is difficult for the successive governments to declare a holiday on Eid ul-Fitr.

However, the Eid al-Adha "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is a public holiday. Burmese Muslims can celebrate it, as this annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for one day only in Myanmar. It is easy for the Myanmar governments to declare a holiday because sighting of the moon is ten day's earlier and the Eid al-Adha could be celebrate for three days. Usually they fixed the date following the Saudi authorities as Haj is more important.

Burmese Muslims recite the Takbir during the prayers at mosques, not loudly, all throughout the three day period of Eid.

Burmese Muslims are from Hanafi sect of Sunni Islam. So they perform Eid Salaah as Wajib (necessary and therefore to deliberately miss them is a sin) Namaz (Salaah) two rakaʿāt with six extra Takbirs only.

During Eid, the traditional greeting is giving Salaam only or sometimes saying Eid Mubarak. They say Assalamualaikum from the mouth and put the right hand on the forehead as if giving a salute, but usually there is no shaking hands and rarely only includes a formal embrace.

Gifts or foods are frequently given to the elder relatives and even non-Muslim bosses and authorities, new clothes are traditionally meant for the family members and the workers or staff only, but Burmese Muslims elders used to give Eidi to all the children.

Children used to get more from their parents, quite a lot from the wealthy near relatives and friends but at least a token sum of small amount of money even from the strangers especially if they go around the neighborhood in groups purposely just to collect Eidi.

It is common for children and young people to go around giving "salaam" to parents, elder relatives and other elders in the neighborhood. During the Eid, Burmese Muslims used to ask forgiveness from elders and try to forgive and forget the misunderstandings amongst each other. Asking for forgiveness is usually done to the parents and elders.

The following Burmese foods are usually cooked for the Eid:

Burmese Muslims bake the Sa-Nwin-Ma-Kin or Burmese Semolina Cake or Semolina Pudding or (Kuih) Sooji, using Sooji (semolina), eggs, cream of wheat (semolina), coconut cream, sugar, raisins and milk. It is topped with sesame seeds and baked using a slow charcoal fire above and below to made them like brownie golden cakes.

This is also made as a delicacies called Halwa (In Myanmar this is referred to a loose form, something like mashed potato) without baking into a hard or firmer cake.

Danbauk (Burmese pronunciation: [dan pauʔ]) Htamin or Burmese biryani, a Burmese-style biryani with either chicken or mutton served with mango pickle, fresh mint and green chili. It is also a favorite food cooked during Eid. Popular ingredients are cashew nuts, yogurt, raisins and peas, chicken, cloves, cinnamon, saffron and bay leaf. In Burmese biryani, the chicken is cooked with the rice.Biryani is also eaten with a salad of sliced onions and cucumber.

Htawbat htamin, rice made with butter and mostly eaten with chicken curry.

Mohinga, rice vermicelli in fish soup

Lahpet, fermented or pickled tea

Various types of Khow suey, Myanmarese Khow Suey - Indian style,[9] are famous.

Panthay khao swè [panθei kʰauʔ swɛ], halal noodles with chicken and spices, often served by Chinese Muslims

Ohn-no khao swè [ounnouʔ kʰauʔswɛ], curried chicken and wheat noodles in a coconut milk broth similar to Malaysian laksa and Chiang Mai's khao soi.

Seejet khao swè [sʰi tʃʰɛʔ kʰauʔ swɛ], wheat noodles with duck or pork, fried garlic oil, soy sauce and chopped spring onions

Jin thohk [dʒin θouʔ], ginger salad with sesame seeds

Jarzan hin, [dʒazan hin] glass noodle soup with chicken, wood-ear mushrooms, dried flowers, onions, boiled egg, garnished with coriander, thin-sliced onions, crushed dried chilli and a dash of lime (Mandalay).

Jauk-kyaw [tʃaoʔtʃau], agar jelly usually set in two layers with coconut milk.

Montletsaung [moun̰leʔsʰaun], tapioca balls, glutinous rice, grated coconut and toasted sesame with jaggery syrup in coconut milk

Samusa [sʰa mu sʰa̰]), Myanmarese-style samosa with mutton and onions served with fresh mint, green chilli, onions and lime

Samusa thohk [sʰa mu sʰa̰ θouʔ], samosa salad with onions, cabbage, fresh mint, potato curry, masala, chili powder, salt and lime.

Shai Mai or Sa Wai or sayviah/sweet vermicelli served with fried cashews, coconut shreds, raisins with milk is the main traditional food cooked during the Eids.

Sometimes Burmese Muslims pray or perform Eid salah (called Eid Namaz) at Eidgah or Idgah at the open spaces outside or in the cities. Usually Burmese Muslim women are not allowed'to pray together at the Masjids or Eidgah.

Traditionally, Burmese Muslims women are also not allowed to enter the graveyards.

Burmese Muslims are usually forbidden by the religious authorities from decorating their homes with lights, lamps or colourful electric bulbs. Both the children and the adults are also advised by the religious elders not to celebrate with the fireworks and firecrackers. Wishing friends and relatives with the Eid cards or sending Eid cards through internet is just a newly acquired tradition.

Philippines

The Philippines, with a majority Christian population, has recognized Eid ul-Fitr as a regular holiday by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 and signed on November 13, 2002. The law was enacted in deference to the Muslim-Filipino community and to promote peace among major religions in the Philippines. The first public holiday was set on December 6, 2002.

People's Republic of China

Profile Facts

Wednesday, August 11

Eid ul-Fitr

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