Eid al Fitr is one of the two major holidays celebrated in Islam, and it occurs first in the lunar year. Translated from Arabic, it means “Festival of Breaking Fast.” The holiday is called this because Eid al Fitr marks the official end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Eid al Fitr is a time of joy and celebration.
Anyone who has fasted for a month during daylight hours can attest how nice it feels to have a 9 a.m. coffee or eat during daylight hours again. The joy also comes from having a sense of accomplishment. Ramadan is often likened to a spiritual bootcamp, where Muslims push hard to perform extra prayers in the late hours of the night, recite the Quran, plead to God and try to be the best version of themselves spiritually. Fasting for 30 days, and showing a high level of discipline, is not easy. It feels great to be able to celebrate this victory of pushing through to fulfil the religious obligation of fasting and doing your best to reap the benefits of Ramadan.
Eid al Fitr is a big party at the end to show gratitude to God for experiencing another Ramadan. It’s also a time to show gratitude for those around you. This is usually done by exchanging Eid gifts with family and friends and spending quality time together by hosting and attending Eid parties. It’s a time to dress up in new outfits and maybe even get henna done! Eid al Fitr is also an opportunity to honor the memory of those who have passed away by visiting their graves.
Read on to learn more about when is Eid al Fitr in 2024 and how it’s celebrated.
When is Eid al-Fitr in 2024?
The exact timing depends on the sighting of the moon, but in 2024, Eid al-Fitr is expected to start in the evening of April 9. That day also marks the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. Eid al Fitr is a 3-day celebration, and will last till the evening of April 12, 2024.
How we know when Eid al-Fitr will be:
Much like other religious holidays that shift according to moon cycles, so does Eid al-Fitr. Muslim holidays follow a lunar calendar known as the Hijri or Islamic calendar, which calculates the amount of time the moon takes to cycle through each of its phases. There are 12 months per lunar year, but only about 354 days — approximately 11 days less than a solar year. Every Hijri month lasts either 29 or 30 days long, and there are no leap years. Following the Islam calendar, a new month starts when the crescent moon can be sighted in the evening sky after the conclusion of the new moon phase.
That's why there can be a few days' variation in when Eid is celebrated. The festivities typically last up to three days in Islamic countries, although in the U.S., some celebrants pack the fun into just one or two, depending on which days the holiday falls on. Unlike countries where Islam is the majority religion, Eid is not a federal holiday in the U.S., despite more than 1% of the population identifying as Muslim.
How to celebrate Eid al-Fitr:
Because Ramadan is a month of fasting and reflection, Eid al-Fitr is a chance to indulge in some delicious feasts and celebrate with family and loved ones. The day usually starts with a special prayer service at the mosque, known as salat al-eid, followed by a sermon delivered by the imam. Many Muslims attend with their families and children, dressed up for the occasion. In order to ensure that all Muslims can participate in Eid al-Fitr regardless of their financial circumstances, Muslims pay a tithe called zakat al-fitr. Some also volunteer at food pantries or do other acts of charity in the spirit of Eid. The rest of the day is characterized by carnivals, bazaars and general festivities.
How to wish someone a good Eid al-Fitr:
When Ramadan ends, you can say "Eid Mubarak" to all of those who celebrate, which means "Blessed feast/festival" in Arabic.
