In Islam, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two core annual festivals and is a time for Muslims around the w...

In Islam, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two core annual festivals and is a time for Muslims around the world to unite and celebrate the successful completion of the Holy month of Ramadan.

The word ‘Eid’ itself means celebration; Eid-ul-Fitr means celebration feast of breaking the fast.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, which is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that the beginning of a new month is determined by the sighting of the full moon. Therefore, the calendar rotates by around 11 days year upon year.

This year, Eid-ul-Fitr is estimated to fall on or around 15th June 2018.

Eid-ul-Fitr Proceedings

A typical day of Eid-ul-Fitr entails waking early, freshening up and wearing one’s best attire then heading to the local Mosque to offer prayers in congregation with other Muslims – these prayers are also known as Salaat-ul-Eid.

Prior to this prayer, the act of giving fitrana (also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr) is carried out. Fitrana is a way of ensuring those less fortunate than us in the world can also celebrate this auspicious day.

Muslims greet one another with ‘Eid Mubarak’ on this special day, which translates to ‘have a blessed Eid’.

The day is then filled with visiting family, friends and loved ones, enjoying feasts, preparing sweet dishes, giving gifts (especially to children) and donating to those less fortunate.

Children and Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid is usually an event that most children look forward to all year, as they are spoilt with gifts or money by the elders in their family. Whilst we celebrate with our children this Eid-ul-Fitr, spare a thought for those children who are not as fortunate and do not know what it feels like to receive a gift on Eid.

There are many millions of children orphaned around the world every year as a result of world conflict. You can sponsor an orphan this Eid-ul-Fitr from just £30 a month; you could literally mean the difference between life and death for a vulnerable child in need.

See here for more information on how to sponsor an orphan with Islamic Help. Alternatively, for more information on our current campaigns, visit us online or give our team of volunteers a call on 012 1446 5682 today.

From all the team here at Islamic Help, we wish you all a blessed and happy Eid!