Eid al-Fitr: Festival of Breaking the Fast

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will soon be coming to an end and Muslims across the globe are preparing to celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast”. It takes place the day after the new Moon is seen at the end of the month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, and marks the start of Shawwal – the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Eid ul-Fitr lasts for one day, this is the day in which Eid prayers take place, and it is forbidden to fast. However, the celebrations of Eid ul-Fitr can last for up to three days in which families and friends gather and celebrate the end of a month of fasting.

Eid Mubarak is an Arabic phrase that means “blessed feast or festival”. The term is used by Muslims all over the world as a greeting to celebrate Eid. This exchange of greetings is cultural tradition and not part of any religious obligation.

This year, the first day of Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31. As Islam follows a lunar calendar, Ramadan and Eid are part of this cycle and the sighting of the moon determines the end of the month-long period of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.

It is worth noting that the clocks go forward by an hour as we move to British Summer Time at the end of March. The clock change, which comes at 1am on Sunday, March 30, will cause a sudden shift in the Ramadan timetable worshippers must follow for prayers and meals. Those who began Ramadan on March 1 will be awaiting news of a moonsighting announcement set to be either on March 30 or 31. For anyone still observing Ramadan on Sunday, March 30, the one-hour jump in sunrise and sunset times will also see timings for prayers and meals adjusted accordingly.