Eid-AL-Fitr (Uraza Bayram)

Eid Al-Fitr, a religious ceremony, is important to Muslims and is celebrated at the end of the Ramadan month and the beginning of Shawal. They stop going on a fast and thank God for the help and strength he gave them throughout the month of Ramadan to practice self-control and be patient.

Muslims begin Eid Al-Fitr with 'Eid Mubarak' and hug and eat a breakfast of sweets like halwa and dates with milk. All members of a family including men, women, and children, are encouraged to gather in mosques or open places to participate in communal prayer and listen to Imam’s sermon in the mosque asking for mercy, forgiveness, and peace. It is also common that strangers stop people on the street to wish each other 'Eid Mubarak' and ‘Khair Mubarak’, the greeting phrases used on this occasion to wish blessing and goodness to others.

 

Generally, Muslims are suggested to help the poor through two types of charitable contributions called 'Sadaqah' and 'Zakat Al Fitr'. The former is voluntary with no fixed amount, and the latter is mandatory on this day. Muslims offer two units of prayer called "Rakat" and they are required to pay Zakat Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan month and celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with prayers called "Salat Al Eid". There is no audible call to prayer for the Eid prayers.