As the beautiful month of Ramadan comes to an end, here are just a few of the ways Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr!
As the beautiful month of Ramadan comes to an end, here are just a few of the ways Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr!
With more than two billion Muslims around the world coming together to celebrate the ending of the beautiful month of Ramadan, the diversity of cultures and practices that make up the Muslim experience of Eid al-Fitr is something to treasure and appreciate.
In the spirit of unity and love, here are just 10 of some of the most beautiful Eid al-Fitr traditions from around the world!
1. Specially appointed “Moon Watchers” will mark Eid al-Fitr in South Africa
In a beautifully unique tradition, in South Africa “moon watchers”, or “maan kykers” in Afrikaans, will stand atop Signal Hill, the shore at the Sea Point Promenade, or at Three Anchor Bay and declare when Eid al-Fitr will be – only after seeing the crescent moon with their own eyes.
Appointed directly by South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council, this special tradition marks the end of Ramadan and celebrates the tradition of spotting the first crescent moon with the naked eye.
2. Known as the Festival of Sweets, Șeker Bayram, Muslims in Turkey celebrate Eid by giving sweets, desserts, and gifts to each other
Usually with a three-day official holiday, Turkish Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with traditional sweets such as baklava or lokum (Turkish delight) – so much so that Eid is called the Festival of Sweets in Turkey!
Other traditions in Turkey during Eid al-Fitr include going to prayers together, giving extra to those in need and to charity, and spending time with loved ones.
3. In Afghanistan Eid is celebrated with a unique tradition called Tokhm-Jangi, where people engage in a playful food fight with boiled eggs
In one of the more unique traditions for Eid al-Fitr, many Muslims in Afghanistan celebrate with a playful game of Tokhmm-Jangi, where the goal is to crack the shell of your opponent’s boiled egg.
Muslims in Afghanistan will also celebrate Eid with acts of charity, sharing meals and food with neighbors and friends, and praying salat together in the mosque and in communal spaces.
4. Eid is celebrated in Somalia with the dessert Cambaabur, a wheat and millet bread with sugar and yogurt
Eid al-Fitr in Somalia wouldn’t be complete without the dessert Cambaabur, which is a kind of wheat and millet bread with yogurt. Commonly eaten for breakfast, cambaabur is served to family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Another popular dessert in Somalia for Eid is halvo, which is a sticky dessert made from cornstarch, sugar, and oil. Somali Muslims will also join for Eid prayers to celebrate the ending of the holy month of Ramadan.
5. Many in Pakistan will celebrate Eid al-Fitr by decorating their hands with mehndi
Amongst going to Eid prayers, giving to charity, and sharing in large meals to celebrate the end of Ramadan, many women in Pakistan will also apply mehndi, or henna, on their hands to mark celebrating Eid.
Gift-giving is also very popular in Pakistan, along with cleaning the house and dressing up to celebrate this day of festivities with loved ones.
6. Known as Lebaran in Indonesia, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with massive communal Eid prayers and with a popular thousand-layer dessert called Lapis Legit
Muslims in Indonesia celebrate Eid in grand style with large-scale communal Eid prayers, as well as cooking traditional desserts such as Lapis Legit – a thousand-layered cake!
Indonesian Muslims also seek forgiveness from family and loved ones in a tradition called Halal Bihalal, to both show devotion and love towards Allah after the holy month of Ramadan.
7. Eid in Saudi Arabia is celebrated with gift-giving and large shared meals
While many who travel to Mecca and Medina during Ramadan will choose to stay in Saudi Arabia for Eid al-Fitr, many local Saudis will choose to spend this holiday with close family at home. Gift-giving, especially to children, is a massive part of the culture of Eid.
In addition to gift-giving, Saudis will join for Eid prayers, give extra towards charity, and share food and meals with neighbors and friends.
8. Many in Bosnia will celebrate Eid by visiting the graves of loved ones
In addition to attending Eid prayers, many Bosnian Muslims will visit the graves of loved ones and pray for them on this special day to mark the end of Ramadan.
Sharing large meals with family and loved ones, and visiting friends and neighbors are also common during Eid al-Fitr as Bosnians celebrate this beautiful day.
9. Eid al-Fitr in Iraq means wearing new clothes and dressing up for the special day
One of the many traditions for Eid in Iraq is to buy new clothes or save a special outfit specifically for Eid day. The children of families will be especially excited for Eid clothes, and many will dress in their finest – even if they just stay at home for the day.
Other traditions for Eid al-Fitr in Iraq include attending Eid prayers, giving extra towards those in need, and sharing food with neighbors and friends.
10. Known as Hari Raya in Malaysia, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with the beautiful tradition of ‘open house’
In Malaysia, a common tradition for Eid is to have an ‘open house‘, where many Malay will set out an open buffet and invite neighbors, extended family or friends, or even strangers to come and eat and celebrate the ending of Ramadan.
Malaysia continues to be one of the most multicultural and multi-religious countries in the world, and Eid is celebrated and respected throughout different neighborhoods and cities in a communal festival of joy.
