Eid Mubarak:Celebrating the end of Ramadan

After a month of abstaining from food and water, Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with a feast known as Eid ul Fitr.

Eid, which is Arabic for 'feast' or 'festival', is celebrated with special congregational prayers at the mosque or open areas, in the morning. Many Muslims dress in new garments. Communities, family and friends also gather to share sweet treats, food and gifts.

Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. It’s a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan, the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month, the goodness of life and the blessings that came with the Holy month of fasting.

Women welcome Eid by applying henna on their hands to mark the celebration, this has been a tradition for many centuries. Children are also commonly gifted with money or toys from elders.

"Eid Mubarak" is a festive greeting that means "Blessed Eid" or “Blessed feast” similar to wishing someone "Ramadan Mubarak".

Amid the reflection and rejoicing, Eid al-Fitr is a time for charity, known as Zakat al-Fitr. Eid is meant to be a time of joy and blessing for the entire community and a time for distributing one’s wealth to the poor and needy, so that they can rejoice and join in the celebrations.

Eid al-Fitr is calculated in accordance with the sighting of the new moon by the moon-sighting committees and is typically announced by local Mosques.

Ramadan is expected to conclude on Tuesday 9 April 2024, meaning Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

Wishing everyone celebrating, a very happy and prosperous Eid.

Imam Mohammad Asad

Muslim Chaplain

M.Asad3@wlv.ac.uk