What is Eid-al-Fitr and how do people celebrate it?
As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world prepare for the annual celebration of Eid al-Fitr, or “the festival of breaking the fast.”
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- Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
- The holiday is expected to begin on the evening of March 19 or 20, 2026, depending on the sighting of the next crescent moon.
- Eid al-Fitr, which means “feast of breaking the fast,” is celebrated with prayers, feasts, and family gatherings.
It is the last 10 nights of Ramadan and many Muslims spend these nights in a state of worship. Some might wonder when to ask their boss for the day off for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday commemorating the end of Ramadan, which began on February 18.
In the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar, the appearance of a crescent moon signals the beginning of the next month. With the expected sighting of the crescent moon toward the end of March, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide and about 1% of Ohioans who are Muslim will celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.
When does Ramadan end? When is Eid al-Fitr? Here we leave you the possible dates and what you should know about the festival that marks the end of the sacred month.
When does Ramadan end? When is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Possible dates
Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on the night of March 19 or 20, depending on when observers see the crescent moon, according to Islamic Relief.
Shawwal, the Islamic month following Ramadan, begins immediately with the sighting of the crescent moon, or “Shawwal moon.” The first day of Shawwal brings with it Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
What is Eid al-Fitr? What does it mean?
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr is the first of two days of celebration in the Islamic calendar, both celebrated each year. Although the holiday is celebrated in one day, some Muslims celebrate this holiday for up to three days.
Eid is not celebrated on the same date every year. Like Ramadan, it follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, a lunar cycle. Each year, the start of Ramadan and both Eid holidays fall about 11 days earlier than the previous year due to the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of these festivities.
Eid in Arabic means “festival” or “feast” and Fitr means “breaking the fast.” So, Eid al-Fitr literally means “feast of breaking the fast.”
How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
Muslims will get up early in the morning, prepare food and prepare to attend Eid prayers at local mosques. Eating during daylight hours after a month of fasting may seem strange to Muslims, but fasting on Eid al-Fitr is actually prohibited.
On Eid, like every day, Muslims will follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad, also known as “Sunnah” in Islam. Specific Sunnahs about Eid include:
- Take a bath or shower
- Wear the best clothes and perfume
- Saying “Takbeer” or praising God on the way to Eid prayers
- Taking a different route home after attending Eid prayer
Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with “Eid Mubarak,” which means “blessed holiday” in Arabic.
Eid traditions vary from country to country. But friends and families often gather and spend time together at each other’s homes, enjoying sweets and delicious food after morning Eid prayers. Children will receive gifts and money, also known as “Eidi.”
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
Between sunset on the last day of fasting and before the Eid prayer the next morning, Muslims with income are obliged to make a charitable donation: Zakat al-Fitr. This donation is intended to cover the cost of the meal.
Charity towards the poor is an important value in Islam. Donations are given to those in need so that they can also celebrate Eid. Muslims can donate to non-profit organizations. Mosques holding Eid prayers will also collect these donations and deliver them directly to those in need.
When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar?
The second Eid, Eid al-Adha, will fall on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is expected to fall on the afternoon of May 26, 2026, and end on the evening of May 27.
