Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and it is a holiday that Muslims from all over the world celebrate. Eid Al Fitr literally translates to “Festival of breaking the fast,” so Muslims celebrate breaking a long month of fasting.
Each country has developed its own unique traditions for Eid Al Fitr over the years, however, the pure joy across the air remains the same wherever you are. In this article, we will explore the different traditions of Eid Al Fitr from different parts of the world.
Read on to know more!
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India’s festivals are very joyous and colorful, and Eid Al Fitr is no different. People start preparing for Eid long before by buying new clothes and gifts for their families and loved ones.
On the morning of Eid day, people go for Eid prayer and then eat sheer khurma, which is a special dish made for this occasion. Adults start giving money (Eidi) to young children and women apply henna on their hands.
In Hyderabad and some other parts of India, it is a tradition to prepare lentil stew and Haleem (slow-cooked meat) and give it to the poor on Eid Al Fitr.
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In Egypt, it is called “Eid Al Fitr” or “the Small Eid.” People start preparing for Eid by cleaning their houses, buying new clothes, and buying sweets. Kids love Eid too much that they sometimes skip sleeping the night before Eid because of excitement.
People wake up very early in the morning, wear their new clothes, and go to Mosques for Eid prayer. The streets are covered with carpets to have room for all the people coming to pray. Then, adults give the kids coming to pray balloons and toys.
After the prayer, families start visiting each other and eating biscuits and kahk, which is a cookie topped with sugar powder. Kahk is either plain, stuffed with nuts, or malban (Turkish delight).
Adults give young kids money (Eidiyah), and kids start playing with their toys and sometimes even water guns.
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Being the birthplace of Islam, people in Saudi Arabia always celebrate Eid Al Fitr with great enthusiasm. They start their preparations early by cleaning their houses and buying new clothes and decorations.
They wake up early on the morning of Eid, take a bath, wear their new clothes, and head to the Eid prayer, which is usually held on the open grounds. After the prayer, people greet each other and offer dates and sweets.
Traditional dishes are prepared such as mugalgal, kebabs, biryani, etc. Children also get money (Eidya), toys, or new clothes. They also offer desserts and sweets like honey and date cookies.
On the night of Eid, people go out to watch the fireworks and wish their neighbors a happy Eid. Moreover, in Saudi Arabia, it is a tradition to give charity on Eid Al Fitr. People donate money, clothes, food, and other resources to those in need.
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In Türkiye, Eid Al Fitr is called “Sugar Feast” considering all the sweets that appear on this occasion. Sweet pastries, Turkish delight, baklava, and more are all prepared for Eid.
They have a week-long national holiday to celebrate Eid. Like every other country, they also start their preparation early and go to Eid prayer and give money and gifts to children.
However, they have a unique tradition of visiting the graves of their loved ones on the first day of Eid to greet them and pray for their souls.
In Istanbul and other parts of Türkiye, they have festivals and large street fairs to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. People go out and enjoy listening to music, celebrating, and shopping for gifts and sweets.
It is also a tradition to visit family, friends, and close neighbors to exchange greetings and gifts. It is also the best opportunity to solve disputes and fix broken relationships.
While each part of the world has its own unique traditions to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, there are a lot of traditions that remain the same like preparing early, giving Eidi to young children, visiting relatives, and more!
So, wherever you are in the world, Eid Al Fitr is a time of joy, togetherness, and sharing blessings!
