Eid ul-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, is a three-day Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. Traditionally, the festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.
During the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims celebrate the end of fasting, and thank Allah for the help and strength given to them throughout the previous month. Muslims celebrate by gathering with friends and family, preparing sweet delicacies, wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts and putting up lights and other decorations in their homes.
To mark the beginning of Eid, Muslims go to their local mosque to perform special congregational prayers known as Salaat and many will also give special charitable contributions, known as Zakat al-Fitr. Common greeting during this holiday is the Arabic greeting "Eid Mubarak" (“Have a blessed Eid”).
In 2011, Eid ul-Fitr will be observed on Tuesday, the 30th of August in the United States and observant Muslims will start their celebrations after sunset on the 29th. Although Eid ul-Fitr falls on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar moves approximately 11 days a year.
Source: The Huffington Post
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