Eid Mubarak! Celebrating The End Of The Holy Month Of Ramadan
Eve Hartley— The Huffington Post UK
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Eid al-Fitr is an annual celebration at the end of the holy month of fasting for Muslims taking part in Ramadan. The Eid holiday lasts several days and begins at the start of the lunar month of Shawwal.
Ramadan, the celebration marking Prophet Mohammed's revelation of the Quran, began on the 18th June and is celebrated worldwide. Annually the occasion unfolds on the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.
The beginning of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the first sighting of the new moon. This year, the majority of Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait will celebrate on Friday 17th July.
However other nations such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, observe the holiday on the following day (18th July). Usually Eid al-Fitr lasts three days, but because of the way it falls in relation to the weekend, Pakistan has announced a five day holiday this year.
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A common greeting during this holiday is Eid Mubarak, which means, “Have a blessed Eid!”
The first Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad and his compatriots after the battle of Badar.
Festivities at the event involve thanksgiving, merriment, feasting and the exchange of gifts.
Eid Mubarak everyone!
Eid Al-Fitr 2014
(01 of06)
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A young Indian Muslim yawns during Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of06)
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A picture taken on July 29, 2014 shows graves (bottom) at the world's biggest cemeteries in the holy city of Najaf as Iraqi Shiites visit tombs of relatives during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. AFP PHOTO / HAIDAR HAMDANI (Photo credit should read HAIDAR HAMDANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:HAIDAR HAMDANI via Getty Images)
(03 of06)
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Indian Muslims offer prayers on Eid al-Fitr at the Feroz Shah Kotla Mosque in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of06)
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Indian Muslims offer prayers at a mosque in the premises of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Pawan Sharma) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of06)
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Yemeni worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayers that mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, July 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of06)
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A Chinese Muslim boy yawns during the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Beijing on July 29, 2014. Millions of Chinese Muslims are joining the faithful around the world in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WANG ZHAO via Getty Images)