New Delhi, March 31 — Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid ul-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
While Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and several other Middle Eastern nations observed the festival on Sunday, countries in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, are celebrating it on Monday.
The difference in dates stems from the sighting of the new moon, which determines the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
Eid ul-Fitr, often referred to as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” holds deep religious and cultural significance. It marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by Muslims worldwide. During this period, adherents refrain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset, devoting themselves to spiritual discipline, charity, and self-restraint.
As the crescent moon is sighted, signaling the end of Ramadan, Muslims gather for communal prayers at mosques and open grounds. In many countries, special Eid sermons emphasize unity, gratitude, and compassion.
Worshippers don new or traditional attire and visit family and friends, exchanging greetings of Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid). The day is also marked by the giving of Zakat al-Fitr, a form of charity meant to assist the less fortunate, ensuring that everyone can partake in the celebrations.
In Saudi Arabia, large congregations gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina for early morning prayers.
The festive atmosphere extended across the Gulf region, with public celebrations, fireworks, and family gatherings. Similarly, in Turkey and Egypt, millions offered prayers at historic mosques, followed by communal feasts and cultural events.
Meanwhile, in South Asia, where the moon was not sighted until a day later, Eid is being celebrated on Monday.
In India, streets and markets filled with revelers purchasing sweets, new clothes, and gifts.
Eid ul-Fitr is not only a celebration of the completion of a month of fasting but also a reminder of gratitude, compassion, and solidarity. It is a time when families come together, feasts are shared, and generosity toward the less fortunate is emphasized.
As Muslims across the world gather to mark the occasion, the festival serves as a unifying moment, transcending borders and cultures with its message of hope and compassion.
