11 Interesting facts you might not know about Eid Al-Fitr
Express News Service
Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated to end the fasting: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sun up to sundown to honor the month that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the month and the end of the fasting. EPS | Ashwin PrasathEid al-Fitr prayer (Salat al-Eid) or Eid al-Fitr Namaz is performed on the occasion of Eid. The Prayer of Eid al-Fitr is performed in two different ways by Sunni and Shia Islam. EPS | R.Satish BabuEid al-Fitr means 'festival of the Breaking of the fast or the Feast of Fast-Breaking in Arabic. EPS | Ashwin PrasathThe festival begins when the new moon is first sighted: Eid al-Fitr doesn't begin until the new moon appears in the sky (although traditionally, and still today for many Muslims, it doesn't begin until the barest sliver of a waxing crescent moon is seen). Technically, that means that across the world, Eid al-Fitr starts at different times and even different days, depending on location. EPS | Ashwin PrasathRamadan and Eid Al-Fitr are held on different Gregorian dates everywhere. The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar cycle. New months start and end with each new moon. The average new moon appears every 29.53 days, so the lunar months are a bit shorter compared to the Gregorian months, which usually last 30 or 31 days. EPS | Ashwin PrasathThe festival lasts typically for three days but depending on how it falls on the calendar, the parties and festivities could last much longer. For example, if the three days fall mid-week, Muslims will likely still be celebrating over the weekend. EPS | Uddipta BhattacharyaOn Eid morning, Muslims cleanse their bodies and don new clothes. Before leaving to perform morning prayers, Muslims wake up on cleanse their bodies in a ritual called 'ghusl'. Some people wear traditional dress, while others opt for contemporary clothing. EPS | Pushkar VThere are Eid gathering: Muslims gather in a huge number in a gathering to greet each other 'Eid Mubarak' which means 'Have a blessed Eid'. EPS | S SenbagapandiyanMuslims not only involved in having a feast of delicious food but exchanged gifts. Gifts are given, especially to children. These gifts of money, accessories, home goods, or flower are called 'Eidi.' EPSThough the first iftar dinner—the daily meal that Muslims break their fast with when the sun sets during Ramadan—hosted by the White House happened in 1805 when President Thomas Jefferson held one for the visiting Tunisian envoy, First Lady Hillary Clinton hosted the first official Eid al-Fitr dinner in 1996, and the Clintons continued the tradition every year after. The tradition of hosting Ramadan or Eid dinners has continued with every president since George W. Bush hosted one every year, and Barack Obama hosted his last one in July 2016. EPS | Pandarinath B