Eid ul-Fitr literally means "Festival of Breaking the Fast." Often abbreviated as Eid, this Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad. It is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations. (The other, Eid al-Adha, occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). As with all months in the Islamic calendar, Eid begins with the sighting of the new moon. If it is overcast and the moon is not seen, the month of fasting continues for one more day. For this reason and for regional differences, the exact date of Eid varies, with some Muslims fasting for 29 days and some for 30 days. Eid will begin on September 19 or 20 in 2009.
The religious festival is an expression to Allah (Arabic for God) for His grace in enabling his faithful servants to observe the fasting month. Prayers are said after confirmation that the moon of Shawwal is sighted on the eve of the last day of Ramadan. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer, which is followed by a sermon and then a prayer asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for the plight of Muslims across the world. Before the Eid prayer begins, every Muslim family must give a predetermined amount as a donation to the poor either in food or as a cash equivalent. After the prayers, Muslims visit various family and friends, decorate their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and make phone calls to give distant relatives well-wishes. It is also the time for reconciliation and many family feuds are settled on Eid. The nights during Eid are considered blessed and are observed with reverence and worship.
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