Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, is celebrated by nearly 2 billion Muslims across the globe.

From the aroma of traditional Eid biryani wafting through the streets of Pakistan and India, to forcibly displaced women baking cookies in tents in Gaza, Eid is a significant holiday for all Muslims.

It brings families and friends together to honor the completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Day of Eid is Determined by the New Moon

The end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr depend on the sighting of the new crescent moon, which varies across different time zones. This year, most Muslims will celebrate Eid on either March 30 or 31.

It is not necessary for the moon to be sighted in the city where one resides, but it must be sighted within the same general horizon.

While most Gulf countries, except Oman, declared Eid on Sunday, March 30, Oman, Syria, Egypt, North America, Europe, and most of Africa are observing Eid on Monday, March 31.

Most Muslim countries follow a reliable approach to moon sighting, ensuring sufficient certainty before declaring the start of the lunar month.

Eid-ul-Fitr Signifies a New Beginning

Much like New Year’s resolutions, Muslims have the opportunity to turn over a new leaf on Eid after fasting for 30 days. The significance of this festival is deeply spiritual.

On this day, Muslims thank God for granting them the will, strength, and patience to observe fasting and follow His commands during Ramadan. The happiness felt on this day is directly tied to the accomplishment of an important spiritual and physical task.

Eid-ul-Fitr is also a time for self-reflection. A Muslim must evaluate the strength and weakness of their willpower, which was tested during Ramadan as they refrained from food and drink from dawn to sunset.

Hunger is regarded as the first lesson in self-discipline. If one can control their appetite, it becomes easier to regulate other aspects of life. The self-restraint practiced during Ramadan allows an individual to recognize and assess both their strengths and areas for improvement in character.

There is a Mandatory “Eid Tax”

Before Eid celebrations commence, Muslims who can afford to do so must pay a mandatory religious tax known as Zakat-ul-Fitr. The tax is typically given in the form of staple food items such as rice, wheat, barley, or dates, amounting to at least three kilograms per person.

Alternatively, an equivalent cash amount may be donated.

This charity is meant to assist the less fortunate, ensuring that everyone can partake in Eid festivities. It is also a testament to Islam’s focus on social responsibility within the larger global framework — a timeless principle that highlights Muslims’ duty to help their brothers and sisters in need.

Muslims are obliged to perform this act of charity on behalf of every member of their household, including servants and guests who have stayed under their roof on the night of Eid.

Eid Ignites the Spirit of Unity

Muslims begin the Eid festivities with a special prayer held worldwide between sunrise and noon.

Dressed in their finest attire, they gather in large congregations, standing shoulder to shoulder in a display of universal brotherhood, a core teaching of Islam. After the prayers, they disperse to visit family and friends, sharing meals and sweets in celebration.

A widely practiced tradition, known as “Eidi” or “Eidiyah,” involves elders and adults giving cash or gifts to children and family members as a token of love and blessings.

Muslims in Gaza Celebrate Eid Amidst Crisis

This year’s Eid celebrations are overshadowed by sorrow as the US-backed Israeli regime continues its aggression in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Israeli attacks killed at least 20 people, mostly women and children, amid a severe food shortage. Israel has deliberately blocked food and humanitarian aid from reaching the besieged enclave.

Despite enduring one of the worst humanitarian crises, around 120,000 Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday to perform Eid ul-Fitr prayers.

Many also gathered at the courtyard of the Martyrs’ School in Khan Younis to perform Eid prayers. With scarce food supplies, displaced Palestinian mothers baked cookies for children using the few ingredients available.

“It’s the Eid of Sadness,” said Adel al-Shaer, a displaced Gazan. “We lost our loved ones, our children, our lives, and our futures. We lost our students, our schools, and our institutions. We lost everything.”

Twenty members of his extended family, including four young nephews, were killed in ongoing Israeli attacks just days before Eid.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and forcibly displaced almost the entire population.

Eid-ul-Fitr, a time meant for joy and gratitude, serves as a reminder of resilience and unity. While many Muslims celebrate in comfort, others observe the holiday amid unimaginable hardship. Regardless of circumstances, the spirit of Eid endures, emphasizing faith, gratitude, and compassion for those in need.