Eid Al Fitr (ʻĪd al-Fiṭr) means festival of breaking fast. This is an Arabic word. This is the most glorious festival for the Muslims all over the world.
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When is Eid al-Fitr in 2014
The Date of Eid Al Fitr in 2014 is on Monday, the 28th of July (28.7.2014).
The day will start at the end of the last day of Ramadan. It means Sunday, the 27th of July evening is the starting of Eid Al-Fitr and the celebration will start from the sunrise of Monday, the 28th of July.
Eid al-Fitr will start in North America Monday, the 28th of July, 2014. (28.7.2014). The day will be started on 27th July evening in North America. See also Eid al Adch 2014 and Eid ul Adch
Eid Al Fitr Islamic Calendar Date
According to the Islamic calendar (Hizri year), it is observed on the 1st day of the month of Shawwal. Islamic calendar is followed lunar year. That’s why, according to the date on the Gregorian calendar, the festival date varies each year. More or less 10 days earlier the festival occurs in each Gregorian calendar year. It means the Eid Al fitr will be held on 29th July in 2014 and so on 10 days before in the next year. However, this happens only because Islamic years are calculated lunar year. It should be mentioned that, according to Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr date is fixed which is on 1st of Shawwal.
Eid Al Fitr Holidays 2014
Usually all the government and non government organization, schools and business centers remain closed as holiday on this day in Muslim majority countries. Most of the Muslim majority countries declare national holiday for one to three consecutive days on this occasion.
Most commonly, the date of Eid Al Fitr holidays will be from 28th July (Sunday) to 31th July (Wednesday) in 2014.
Eid Al Fitr / Eid ul Fitr greetings
The most common greeting of this day is in Arabic is عيد مبارك (Eid Mubarak). Meaning of Eid Mubarak is “Blessed Eid”.
Also Eid Saeed is a common greeting which means “Happy Eid”.
However, there are some other greeting words of this day in different countries, for example:
- in Turkey “Bayramınız kutlu olsun” means May your Eid – be blessed
- Indonesians greet saying “Selamat Lebaran” or “Selamat Idul Fitri”, both meaning “Happy Eid”,
- in Malaysia and Singapore “Hari Raya Aidilfitri” or “Hari Raya Puasa” is the Eid Al Fitr greeting which means “Happy celebration day of Eid”
- Nigerians say “Barka Da Sallah,” which means “Greetings on Eid”.
Eid Al Fitr other names
Eid al-Fitr is an Arabic word (Arabic: عيد الفطر ʻĪd al-Fiṭr). Eid Al Fitr is also called by various names around the world such as Idul Fitri, Hari Lebaran (Indonesian); Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Lebaran (Malay); Wakas ng Ramadan, Hari Raya Buka Puasa, Pagtatapos ng Pag-aayuno (Filipino); রোজার ঈদ (Rojar Eid ; Bengali); Ramazan Bayramı, Şeker Bayramı (Turkish); Eid Nimaz (Sindhi); Eid-e Sa’eed-e Fitr (The Mirthful Festival of Fitr, Persian); Choti Eid, Meethi Eid (Urdu); Праздник Нарушения Поста (Russian); Рамазански бајрам (Serbian); Fiesta de la ruptura del ayuno (Spanish); Рамазан Бајрам (Macedonian); Рамазан Байрам (Bulgarian); Id al-Fater (Ethiopia); Suikerfeest (Dutch); עיד אל-פיטר (Hebrew); Kāizhāi de Shèngyàn (开斋的盛宴; Chinese).
How Muslims celebrate Eid?
Muslims all around the world commonly follow some fixed rituals as religious obligation. It is fixed all over the world such as the Eid prayer. Besides this prayer, people around the world celebrate the Eid as per their tradition and culture.
Religious obligation (Compulsory) – In this occasion, the first thing should be done is the Eid prayer in the morning. This is a compulsory prayer for all. It must be performed in congregation. This is a big gathering where Muslims pray to Allah, expresses their brotherhood, unity and empathy to the poor. Moreover, this is the day of entertainment. Regardless of rich and poor, young and old, all the community celebrates this day with happiness and peace.
Before this day, able people must donate a certain amount of money or gold or silver (as per their ability) to the poor so that they can also celebrate the day with equal happiness. This donation is called Zakat. Zakat is one of the main five pillars of Islam. This is also compulsory for the person who has ability to donate after fulfilling his own needs.
Some common customs – People usually wear new or clean clothes on this occasion. However, Muslims wear their traditional attire according to their culture and tradition in Eid Al Fitr. Usually people celebrate this occasion in an enthusiastic manner. Wearing new or clean cloths and using perfumes, visiting relatives house, preparing traditional food and serve those to poor and to the relatives, giving gifts to each other is the most common way of celebrating this day.
Eid Al Fitr is a gift day
Gift is very common to give and take in Eid Al Fitr. Usually children are very fond of the Eid gifts. Also relatives, friends and family members exchange gifts on this occasion.
Eid Al Fitr is the most joyful event for the Muslims. This is observed immediately after the long fasting month of Ramadan (month of fasting). Muslims keep fasting throughout the month from sun rise to sunset. Ramadan is a learning of self control, patience and empathy. After fasting throughout the month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr comes as a gift from Allah. It is prohibited to fast on this day.