Eid ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a major Muslim holiday celebrated around the world. This day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. On Eid ul-Fitr, people visit friends and family, exchange gifts, and enjoy special feasts. Here are ten interesting facts about Eid ul-Fitr that you may not know.

1. Eid is celebrated after a month of fasting called Ramadan

Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr after a month of fasting known as Ramadan. During Ramadan healthy adult Muslims don’t eat or drink from dawn to dusk. At the end of this month the festival Eid ul-Fitr begins.

2. The date Eid is celebrated is based on the Moon

The Eid date is usually declared on the 29th day of the previous month when the moon is a present. However, if the Moon cannot be seen then Eid is celebrated on the following day.

3. Eid ul-Fitr lasts 3 days

During the 3 days Muslims will visit their family, eat special foods and give children gifts and money.

4. Eid means festival in Arabic

Eid can be translated as festival or feast. It is called this because it marks the end of the fast of Ramadan with food and festivities.

5. Eid traditions include eating dates

Like many religious festivals Eid has its own traditions. These include eating dates and going to the Mosque for prayers. After praying at the Mosque it is a tradition to take a different route home to the one you took there – this is so you can spread your joy to more people.

6. Eid is celebrated by 1.8 billion people

It is estimated that more than 1.8 billion Muslims celebrate Eid each year making it one of the biggest religious festivals in the world.

7. Eid ul-Fitr is different to Eid ul-Adha

Eid is celebrated twice a year. The first Eid is Eid ul-Fitr which we are talking about in this Top 10 Facts. The second is Eid ul-Adha which is celebrated at the end of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.

8. The history of Eid goes back to the prophet Muhammad

In the Quran it is written that Muhammed got his first revelation during ramadan. When he arrived in Mecca after the revelation people were celebrated with feasts, this became Eid ul-Fitr.

9. People greet each other during Eid by saying Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak means ‘Happy Eid’ or ‘Blessed Eid’.

10. Eid ul-Fitr is known by different names all over the world

You will see Eid ul-Fitr also spelt Eid al-Fitr but did you know that it is also known as different things in different languages. It is called ‘Ramazan Bairami’ in Azerbaijan, ‘Lebaran’ in Indonesia, ‘Korite’ in Senegal, ‘Hari Raya Puasa’ in Malaysia.

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