Eid ul Fitr Activities

Eid ul Fitr is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm and fervor across the globe. All over the world, Muslims perform many activities on this day of immense significance. They wake up early in the morning, take bath and wear their clothes. After dressing up well for the occasion, they eat breakfast, which mostly includes dates and head to the mosque, for offering prayers. Eid prayer ceremonies are organized in all the mosques, where Muslims gather and recite the Takbeerat in congregation. The main rituals related to Id have remained unchanged for centuries, though different nations celebrate it in their own way.

Once the Eid prayers are over, people scatter around to wish and greet others. Phone calls are made to distant relatives to wish them "Eid Mubarak". Traditionally, these festivities continue for three days and in most of the Muslim countries, the entire three day duration is declared as a public holiday. Since donation has a special significance on this festival, Muslims give a fixed amount of donation to the poor. This donation can be in the form of rice, barley, dates, etc. It is given to ensure that the poor and needy also get a full holiday meal and participate in the celebrations of the festival. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

The grandness of the Eid ul Fitr celebrations manifests itself in the fireworks that are witnessed at many places on this day. Delicious, mouth-watering recipes are cooked by women and are served to friends and relatives, who come to visit them. After the long fast of Ramadan, Muslims are in a mood to enjoy royally and when the day finally arrives, they indulge themselves completely with the festivities. They also decorate their homes on Eid, just as Hindus decorate their homes and make elaborate preparations for Diwali. Friends visit each other on the festive occasion and gifts are exchanged among kith and kin.

In India, it is heartening to see that communities other than Muslims also participate in the celebrations at many places. Eid ul Fitr is a public holiday in the country. One is likely to spot groups of Muslims flocking shops on this day for making purchases. Even the shops are found to be elaborately decorated, drowned in the festive spirit of the day. The day is known to bring joy and peace to the Muslim community of the entire world. Daughters and sisters are adorned with gifts and new dresses on this day, while the children go out and have fun with their friends and relatives.