Eid Al Fitr
The Iraqi, Afghani and all Muslim Communities in Australia have announced the first day of Eid Al Fitr. May Allah, bring you joy, happiness, peace, and prosperity on this blessed occasion. Wishing you and your family on this
happy occasion of Eid Al Ftir.
The Shawwal crescent (The month after Ramadan) was not sighted on Sunday evening.
The first half of our Muslim Communities in Australia have announced that the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday 2nd May, while the Iraqi and Afghani and other Communities in Australia have announced that the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Tuesday 3rd May, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The announcement was made by The Iraqi and Afghani moon-sighting committee on Sunday, after it held a virtual meeting, following Maghreb prayer. Earlier, Iraq and Afghanistan and other
countries have also confirmed that Tuesday will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr, since the crescent moon was not seen on Sunday.
The sighting of the moon signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan– when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and the start of the month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan). In Iraq and Afghanistan, both public and private sector workers are off for three days, from Tuesday 3rd May until Thursday 5th May.
What Exactly Is Eid-al-Fitr holiday?
Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid-al-Fitr.
Eid-al-Fitr (also written and pronounced as Eid-ul-Fitr) is the first of two Eid's of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. It rounds off the month of Ramadan, which Muslims observe every year to acknowledge Allah's revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
Not to be confused with Eid-al-Adha,this Eid comes after the holy month of Ramadanwhen many Muslims will not eat or drink during the day time for a 29 or 30 day period. It’s part of Sawm (fasting) commitment, one of the five pillars of Islam.
The holiday is all about the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal (the 10th month) . It falls approximately eleven days earlier than the one of the previous year, when following the Gregorian (solar) calendar.
When is Eid-al-Fitr?
The exact date is never certain in advance, as religious authorities in various countries rely on the sighting of the Eid crescent moon to announce when it will officially begin. It can be delayed by a day if the sky is too bright when the moon is out, or if clouds obstruct it. This is also the reason Ramadan can start on different days in different parts of the world. People are not allowed to fast on this day of the year, even if they want to continue.
Why is Eid-al-Fitr celebrated?
Eid-al-Fitr is regarded as a time to celebrate, with Muslims gathering their friends and family to show gratitude toward God following the previous month of reflection. The holiday serves as a great reminder for Muslims to be grateful for what they have and to share with those who may be less fortunate.
How is Eid-al-Fitr celebrated?
As well as giving thanks, Muslims give an obligatory payment to charity (zakatal-Fitr), but this is a smaller donation compared with the usual 2.5% zakat that wealthy Muslims are taxed. This is another of the five pillars of Islam. In addition to these payments, some Muslims take the initiative to work voluntarily at soup kitchens and hand out their own food to those in need.
As with Eid-al-Adha, gifting is a big part of Eid celebrations. Children receive 'Eidia' offerings in money bags, and sweet treats such as cookies and dates are exchanged amongst loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, friends and even strangers. Family members will also buy one another presents, although most of these are saved for the youngest members of each family.
Countries across the world hold huge events to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr. Three days of firework shows are especially popular in Iraq, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as people take the opportunity to spend quality time together.
What does the 'Eid Mubarak' greeting mean?
You will hear Muslims wishing each other ‘Eid Mubarak’, which refers to having a blessed day during Eid. It is said on both Eid days and is the expected greeting when meeting a fellow Muslim for the first time on Eid. Many non-Muslims who are familiar with the phrase and the meaning of it also offer 'Eid Mubarak' as a greeting on this day when they see Muslim friends and colleagues.
Eid Prayers
Muslims usually dress up to attend their local mosque, where, as well as taking part in prayers, it is a time for many people to have the first breakfast during sunlight hours that they have had in a month. Before dawn the Salaat ul-Fajr prayer takes place and then it is time to bathe before the Eid prayer, also known as Salaat al-Eid.
As Salaat al-Eid is performed only twice a year, the imam leading the congregation will usually explain how to perform this particular prayer before it begins.
Hussam Saraf
Multicultural Liaison Officer
(Arabic)