Muslims around the world celebrate the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
To celebrate the end of Lent, there will be celebrations lasting up to three days, where worshipers can gather, eat and exchange gifts.
This year’s Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on Monday, May 2 (a banking holiday in the United Kingdom), after seeing the crescent moon over the weekend.
Here’s how to congratulate someone who observes Eid and everything you need to know about the festival.
How to wish someone “Happy Eid”
If you want to wish someone a Happy Eid this year, the traditional way would be to congratulate them on Eid Mubarak.
This is the Arabic phrase used by Muslims during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations, which follow later in the year.
The Arabic word “mubarak” translates as “blessed”, while “Eid” means a holiday, festival or celebration, so “Eid Mubarak” can literally mean “blessed holiday” or “blessed holiday”, although it is widely interpreted as simple Happy Eid’s wish
Although you can mention “Eid al-Fitr Mubarak” or “Eid al-Adha Mubarak” to indicate between the two festivals, just say “Eid Mubarak” is fine.
People buy balloons while celebrating Eid in London in 2016 (Photo: Getty Images)
In the same way, Muslims often wish their fellow observers Ramadan Mubarak at the beginning of the holy month and throughout the fast.
“Ramadan Karim” is used less frequently, but translates as “Generous Ramadan” – while the phrase can be used as a greeting in a similar way to “Ramadan Mubarak”, it can also describe Ramadan when referring to it in -wide context.
There is some debate about whether the use of Ramadan Karim is appropriate, given that the expectation of generosity can be seen against the principles of fasting and prayer that are central to the observance of the holy month.
However, others argue that the greeting may appropriately refer to the generosity of others. Khaled Boudemagh, described by Gulf News as a Dubai-based language expert, said: “Ramadan is a month of generosity, so wish Karim.”
Both Mubarak and Karim are also given names in Arabic that have the same meanings as the Eid and Ramadan greetings.
More on Ramadan
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr’s name comes from an Arabic term that translates as “holiday of breaking the fast” and, although it is not usually an official holiday in the United Kingdom (unless, as this year, it is a bank holiday), it is for many Muslim countries.
It is traditional for Muslims to gather together in a park to celebrate the break of Lent, with large-scale events and festival food (especially sweet treats), prayer and stalls.
After Eid, some Muslims decided to fast for the next six days. This stems from the Islamic belief that good deeds in Islam are rewarded 10 times, thus fasting for 30 days during Ramadan and six days during Shawal creates goodwill for one year.
Eid al-Fitr traditionally begins on the day after seeing the new crescent, which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shuwal, the tenth of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
There is some debate about whether the idea of observing the moon should be that you are a physical witness to the moon in your region, which may be hampered by factors such as weather conditions, or whether you should postpone observations in Saudi Arabia or other regions. .
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