Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims across the world are currently marking it with four weeks of fasting. The end of the holy month is celebrated with a festival called Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr will be on June 4 this year.
Muslims use the month to give away their earthly needs to bring them closer to God, which is why they fast from sunrise to sunset every day of Ramadan.
Ramadan 2019 started on May 5 and will finish on June 4.
The dates of Ramadan are marked by different lunar stages.
Ramadan starts with the rising of the crescent moon and ends with the sighting of the Shawwal Moon.
An official moon-sighting committee decides the dates of Ramadan every year.
The committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice in the UAE, and declares the sighting of the Crescent Moon, initiating Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.
The tenth month of the Muslim calendar is known as Shawwal, and it is welcomed in with joyful celebration.
When is Eid 2019?
The exact date of Eid depends on when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted and changes every year.
It can also vary by region, as the new moon is sighted at different times by local religious authorities.
Eid al-Fitr 2019 will be celebrated on June 5 but this date is tentative as it depends on when the Shawwal moon is sighted.
Eid al-Fitr is a reward to Muslims for observing Ramadan – it is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid.
Every country celebrates Eid differently but Muslims across the world begin Eid with morning prayers.
After the prayers friends and families greet each other with the traditional Eid greeting.
How do you wish someone Happy Eid?
The traditional Eid greeting is to say “Eid Mubarak.”
Muslims follow this greeting which means “Happy holiday” or “Happy celebrations” with a formal embrace, three times.
After Eid prayers, a specially-prepared sweet dish is eaten and the rest of day is spent celebrating with friends and family.
Families and friends indulge together and gifts are shared.
Everyone gets new clothes for the special occasion so they look their best.
Eid al-Fitr is a day on which Muslims celebrate the blessing bestowed upon them by God.