Over the next three days, Muslims around Australia are marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The festivities involve prayer, charity, feasting, and spending time with family and relatives.
Here’s what you need to know about when Eid al-Fitr is celebrated, what it is about, and the “greater Eid”, which takes place months later.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the , during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset.
Ramadan is observed by more than 800,000 Australians and nearly two billion people around the world.
On the first day of Shawwal, which is the 10th month in the Muslim calendar, Muslims observe Eid al-Fitr, a grand celebration after a month of sacrifice and prayers.
It is celebrated over three days and is the first of two Eid celebrations.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr begins at the end of Ramadan, and — like Easter — the holy festival does not have a fixed date.
Islam follows a lunar calendar, so the visibility of a new moon determines the start of each month.
The Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council have declared the Day of Eid Al-Fitr will be Wednesday 10 April 2024.
There are varying views on when Eid should begin, and Eid is often celebrated across two days by different cultural groups.
How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
Celebrations involve prayers, feasting, and giving to charity.
Eid al-Fitr traditionally begins with a prayer service, followed by a sermon. At the beginning of the prayer, Muslims pay Zakat al-Fitr, a donation for those in need.
Muslims dress in their best outfits, and after prayers, they gather with family and friends to feast on sweets. Elders typically give gifts to children or young relatives.
If you want to wish somebody well during the celebration, the most common phrase is “Eid Mubarak”, which translates to “blessed Eid” in Arabic.
Are there two Eid celebrations?
Yes, Eid al-Fitr is the first of two Eid celebrations.
It is known as the “lesser Eid”, while Eid al-Adha takes place a few months later and is referred to as the “greater Eid”.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day in the final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah. It marks the third day of the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The celebration commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim, who Muslims believe was commanded by God to sacrifice his son in commitment to his faith.
Similar to Eid al-Fitr, neither Hajj nor Eid al-Adha have a fixed date.
In 2024, Eid al-Adha is expected to fall in mid-June.
