Eid al-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, but what is it, and how is it celebrated? Here’s what people should know about the Islamic festival that closes out a holy month of fasting and religious study.
During Ramadan, the Muslim community fasts from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations and spending time in prayer and worship.
At the end of the month, when a new moon is spotted, Muslims celebrate with Eid al-Fitr. The festival is celebrated around the world during the first three days of Shawwāl, which is expected to begin on the weekend of March 29 in 2025.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan, according to Britannica. It is celebrated with an Eid namaz (morning prayer), visits to friends, gift-giving, charity and food.
People also wear new clothes during the holiday festival and visit the graves of deceased loved ones.
When does Ramadan end? When is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr 2025 is expected to be celebrated onSunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, depending on when the new crescent moon is sighted, according to UK-based Islamic charity organization, Islamic Relief.
The festival is celebrated over the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Unlike Christmas, Eid does not fall on the same date every year. Muslim festivals and events, like Ramadan, follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is dependent on a lunar cycle. Each year, Ramadan and both Eid holidays fall about 11 days earlier than the year before because of the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of these holidays.
What is Shawwāl? When is it?
Shawwāl, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins right at the sighting of the crescent moon, or “Shawwāl moon.”
The first day of Shawwāl brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. It is expected to fall on March 30 or March 31 this year.
Celebration could last 3 days
Eid al-Fitr is the first of two celebratory days in the Islamic calendar, both observed every year. Though the holiday is marked on one day, some will celebrate this festival for as long as three days.
When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar?
The second Eid,
Eid al-Adha
, will fall on the 10th day in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is predicted to fall on the evening of June 6, and end on the night of June 7.
Who celebrates Eid al-Fitr?
Muslims around the world celebrate the festival.
How do you wish someone a happy Eid?
Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “blessed festival” in Arabic.
Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
