What Is Eid Al-Fitr And How Is It Celebrated? Meaning, Greetings And Facts

Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr as Ramadan draws to a close. Here's what you need to know about the festival.

When translated from Arabic, Eid al-Fitr means "Festival of Breaking Fast," according to Britannica. Also known as Eid ul-Fitr and "Lesser Eid," it is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the end of a month of fasting from dawn to sunset. A separate four-day festival called Eid al-Adha, known as "Greater Eid," is set to be celebrated in July.

Eid al-Fitr usually starts with prayers, which are followed by a sermon soon after dawn, according to Hindustan Times. Muslims would usually wear new clothes, exchange greetings by saying "Eid Mubarak," which means "have a blessed Eid," and distribute sweets. A big meal is usually the main event.

But the billions of Muslims all over the globe have various ways of celebrating the holy festival, according to the BBC.

"Eid is a time of celebration after accomplishing one of the most important religious duties: fasting during the month of Ramadan," Maswood Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Council of Britain, told BBC, adding that many celebrate the day by exchanging gifts and visiting friends and family.

People embracing in the street is also part of the festival's celebrations, with men hugging fellow men and women hugging other women as a sign of friendship, Ahmed said.

"If you go out on the street now, strangers, anybody they come across they’ll hug them… The whole idea is that whoever you meet, you try and create a feeling of goodwill. Any feeling of animosity is put aside, at least for one day!" he added.

In countries such as Egypt and Pakistan, Muslims decorate their homes with lanterns and flowers, the Times of India reported. Muslims in countries such as Jordan also rush to the mall to buy gifts for their loved ones as Eid al-Fitr is regarded as an opportunity to exchange gifts as well as to give and seek forgiveness.

For the majority, Eid al-Fitr is considered a national holiday. Schools and businesses are closed to allow family and friends to spend the day together.

On Eid al-Fitr, here are eight greetings and wishes to send the people in your life, courtesy of Business Insider:

• "There is no blessing in the world greater than a true friend. I thank God every day for giving me a friend like you. Eid Mubarak to you and your family!"
• "Eid is a day to cheer and to laugh with all your heart. It’s a day to be grateful to Allah for all of his heavenly blessings on us. Wishing you a happy Eid."
• "Eid Mubarak! Seize the moment and be happy. Because very little is needed to make a happy life, it’s all within yourself and your way of thinking."
• "The month of Ramadhan has left us my friend, and the joyous occasion of Eid is present before us once more. May we all enjoy the festivities of Eid."
• "May you find a million reasons to make your life more beautiful on this day. May the joy of Eid be multiplied a thousand times and stay with you forever. Eid Mubarak!"
• "The most beautiful thing for me is to see you smiling. You are so close to my heart that no one can even beat you. Enjoy this Eid to the fullest. Eid Mubarak!"
• "On this holy festive, wishing you a day filled with lots of laughter and happy moments. Eid Mubarak from my family to yours!"
• "Start living now and stop worrying about tomorrow. Life is too short to spend in tension. Just enjoy every moment of every day. Thinking of you on this Eid Day."