Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr
• Method 2 of 2: How to Celebrate Eid al-Adhu
• Tips

There are two main Ida, or holidays, celebrated by Muslims around the world. Each of them has many names, but most often they are called Eid al-Fitr, the Feast of Breaking the Fast, and Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice. During both holidays, people pray and do charity work, donating to the poor, and celebrating with their family and friends.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

1. 1 Celebrate the holiday at the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr means 'The Feast of Breaking the Fast'. It falls on the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal after the month of fasting Ramadan. In some regions, Muslims gather in the hills to watch the moon and celebrate as soon as local religious leaders announce the beginning of Ida. Sometimes you need to observe two or three days, but in some Muslim countries, three public holidays may be planned in advance so that they exactly coincide with this holiday.
   • Since Eid is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, it does not fall on the same day in the Gregorian (Western) calendar. To find out when this holiday will be this year, look on the Internet or ask those who celebrate it.
2. 2 You have to look 100%. It is a widespread tradition to buy new clothes for Ida, and those who cannot afford it will still try to look their best. Muslim women in South Asia often paint their skin with henna on the night of Ida. It is advisable for men to use perfume or cologne.
   • Many perform ghusl (ritual ablution) by taking a shower or bath in the morning of Eid.
3. 3 Stop fasting right after sunrise. Muslims are not allowed to fast during Eid al-Fitr, as they celebrate the end of it. Before going to prayer, it is advisable to eat. Sometimes those who celebrate the holiday follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, ending their fast with an odd number of dates (usually one or three).
   • Muslims are also advised to perform takbir before sunrise. To do this, you need to raise your hands and say: "Allahu akbar" (Allah is the greatest). If you come to prayer, which will be discussed below, the prayers will do this several times during prayer.
4. 4 Go to sacred prayer. The imams hold special prayers on Eid early in the morning, usually in a large central mosque, on an open field, or in a stadium. In some regions, all Muslims are present at this event. In others it is desirable for women to come, but not necessarily, in others it is an event only for men. At the end of the prayer, the believers hug each other and say "Eid Mubarak" or "Blessed Feast" to wish each other all the best. The event ends with a sermon from the imam.
5. 5 Celebrate with your family and with sweet foods. Eid al-Fitr is sometimes referred to as a "sweet holiday", as usually, when the end of the fast of Ramadan is celebrated, sweet food is eaten. Mosques may serve it before or after prayer, but many also prepare desserts themselves and celebrate at home.
   • There are no requirements as to what you need to eat (except for halal), but in some regions, according to tradition, you need to eat dates, halva, falouda, cookies with milk, baklava and noodles.
6. 6 Give gifts to younger ones. On Eid, adults usually give children and young people money or gifts and sometimes exchange gifts with each other. After the morning celebration, families often visit their neighbors and relatives to congratulate them and exchange gifts.
7. 7 Help the poor. "Zakat al-fitr," or the obligation to give on this day to the poor, concerns every Muslim who has the means to do so. Typically, one person must donate the approximate value of the meal in the form of money, food, or clothing.
8. 8 Celebrate the holiday for the rest of the day. Many have lunch and / or dinner with their family and eat meat, potatoes, rice, barley, or any other food. Some rest after dinner after a day that began with sunrise. Others go to fairs and events that are organized on Eid, go to parties with friends in the evening, or visit the graves of deceased friends or relatives.
   • In many regions, Eid is celebrated for three days or on other days, depending on the Muslim group. If you wish, you can wake up early the next day, re-celebrate and pray.

Method 2 of 2: How to Celebrate Eid al-Adhu

1. 1 Celebrate the holiday at the end of the pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha is celebrated right after the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. It usually falls on the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Zul Hijjah, but it can fall on another day, depending on the religious institutions in different regions. All Muslims celebrate this holiday, even if they did not perform Hajj this year.
   • Since the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar, it does not fall on the same date according to the Gregorian (Western) calendar every year.
2. 2 Attend the Eid Prayer. As described in the section on Eid al-Fitr, Muslims, sometimes only men, usually attend the Eid prayer early in the morning, followed by the sermon. Everyone tries their best to dress and look decent, take a shower or bath in the morning and put on new clothes if they can afford it.
   • Unlike Eid al-Fitr, there is no particular emphasis on sweets or the end of the fast.
3. 3 Sacrifice a four-legged animal. Every person or household that can afford it should sacrifice a sheep, cow, goat or camel on Eid al-Adhu in order to honor the memory of the animal that Allah sent to Abraham to sacrifice in place of his son. The animal must be healthy and must be slaughtered according to halal.
4. 4 Cook and serve meat. The meat of the sacrificed animal can be cooked in any way you like. A third is eaten by the household or a group that sacrificed the animal, a third is distributed to relatives and friends, often during a separate meal, and a third is given to the poor or starving.
   • People often gather in groups for barbecues or oven-baked meat. Other food is also eaten, but there are no special requirements other than halal compliance.
5. 5 If you cannot sacrifice an animal, find another option. In many Western countries it is forbidden to slaughter animals outside the slaughterhouse, and in some cities it is difficult to find an animal. In such situations, Muslims rely on two options:
   • You can send money to acquaintances living in another country or in another region who will make a sacrifice and distribute meat on your behalf.
   • Islamic butchers can provide space and assistance for the sacrifice so that it can be done legally and according to halal.

Tips

• Arabic coffee is often served on both Ids.
• Eid can be celebrated not with Muslims. Dedicate your non-Muslim friends or neighbors to these traditions.