Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast,” is a significant celebration for Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. With approximately 1.9 billion Muslims around the world, Eid is celebrated in various countries with different traditions and customs. In Muslim-majority countries, Eid is usually a three-day official holiday, but the number of holiday days can vary. The first day of Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10 this year, as the new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, leading to an extra day of fasting in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.
Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, with around 240 million Muslims residing in the country. Pakistan and India follow closely behind with about 225 million and 211 million Muslims respectively. Other countries with significant Muslim populations include Bangladesh and Nigeria. Muslims around the world come together on Eid day to partake in a prayer service at dawn, followed by a short sermon. The day is then spent visiting relatives and neighbors, exchanging sweets, and extending Eid greetings as they move from house to house.
One of the most common greetings exchanged on Eid is “Eid mubarak” which translates to “Blessed Eid,” or “Eid sa’id” meaning “Happy Eid.” However, Eid greetings may vary depending on the country and language spoken. To showcase the diversity of Eid greetings, a video and graphics below highlight Eid greetings in 14 different languages spoken around the world. This demonstrates the universal joy and celebration shared by Muslims globally during this auspicious festival.
Overall, Eid al-Fitr is a time for Muslims to come together in celebration after a month of fasting and spiritual reflection during Ramadan. The traditions and customs associated with Eid may vary from country to country, but the underlying message of peace, joy, and unity remains the same. As Muslims exchange greetings and share in the festivities of Eid, they also take the opportunity to connect with their loved ones, show generosity to those in need, and strengthen their bonds within their communities. Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating around the world!
