Eid al-Fitr is a very important festival in the Islamic calendar. It is also known as 'The Feast of Breaking the Fast' and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and Muslims are not permitted to fast on that day.
Eid is centred around celebrating the end of a month of fasting and spending time with family, friends and people within the community. Giving thanks to God is core, which is why on the morning of Eid, Muslims offer a special congregational Eid prayer.
Muslims dress up on Eid morning in their best, often brand-new clothes and many decorate their houses for the occasion. Muslims greet one another on Eid day by saying 'Eid Mubarak' which means 'blessed Eid'.
In Muslim countries, Eid al-Fitr is a national holiday. In the UK, Muslims may take the day off work or school to join in the celebrations.
Communal celebration services are held both outdoors and in mosques and a special celebratory meal is eaten with friends and family- the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month. Eid al-Fitr is a time for families, friends and neighbours to spend time together, exchange presents/money and share food.
