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Eid al Fitr

  • 04/03/2019
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  • Admin

Eid al-Fitr, also known as the festival of breaking of the fast, is one of the more important holidays in the Muslim calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and can be celebrated for up to three days. But do you know what happens during this Islamic festival? Allow Vandu to enlighten you!

Typically, a practicing Muslim will wake up before sunrise and offer a ‘Salatul Fajr’ (the pre-sunrise prayer). Normally a Muslim will take a shower before prayers, wear their best clothes and generally try to look and smell their best. There is to be no fasting on the Day of Eid, and a small breakfast of sweet fruit is encouraged. Eid is also a time to forget any difficulties or animosities with people around you during the year, and acts of charity, particularly to the poor and needy, are seen as obligatory. When it comes to prayer, Eid al-Fitr has a specific ‘Salat’ (Islamic prayer) consisting of two sections and is normally offered in a field or large hall; it can only be performed in congregation and has six extra Takbirs (the action of raising your hands and saying, ‘Allahu Akbar’ - which means 'God is great'). Following this, a Muslim can stay for a sermon or gather with friends and family for the following celebrations.

The customs may vary slightly from country to country, but these general rituals remain. This year’s Eid al Fitr starts on Sunday the 25th of June, we hope our Muslim friends and colleagues enjoy it!  

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