WEST aSia
Eid al-Fitr translates to “festival of
breaking the fast” and takes place
on the first day of the lunar month
Shawwal, after the fasting month of
Ramadan. It is the major event of the
year in the Gulf countries – Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
and the United Arab Emirates – as
well as in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine,
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and other
predominantly Muslim states (and
Muslim communities globally).
Both Eid al-Fitr and the other major
Islamic festival, Eid al-Adha (festival
of the sacrifice), are times for Muslims
to show their gratitude to Allah, to
give alms to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr,
a requirement for every Muslim who
has the means to do so) and to forgive
and forget the past wrongs. In Malay
culture, Eid goes by the name Hari RayaFESTIVAL MUST-SEE: EID AL-FITR
The Arabian Gulf
Aidilfitri (also: Hari Raya Puasa) and
Hari Raya Haji, respectively.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for up to
three days. Early morning prayers
are followed by a sweet breakfast,
leading to Eid al-Fitr’s nickname as the
“sweet holiday”, with traditional foods
including baklava, halwa, falooda,
and of course, the traditional date.
Breakfast is followed by salaat (the Eid
prayer) at mosque.
It’s customary to buy new clothes
for Eid. Many Muslim women decorate
their hands with henna on the eve of
Eid, and men don their best cologne.
Adults also usually give gifts to
children, and families visit their
neighbours and relatives, when gifts
are often exchanged. If you are in the
Gulf during Eid, there are plenty of
festive fairs and events to attend.IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK100