This year, Eid ul-Fitr in India will be celebrated across the country, except Kerala, on June 16, Saturday.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of the Muslim month of Ramadan, a 30-day period that requires those practicing to abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most festive periods in the religion’s calendar. Eid is often commemorated with large feasts and family time, as well as charitable acts and donations.
People observe roza (fast) during the holy month of Ramadan and people are already gearing up to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with great fervour and gaiety.
The message of Islam is not restricted to conventional activities of Muslims only but is much broader. Besides five fundamentals of Islam Kalima (faith), Nimaz (prayers), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Haj (pilgrimage to Makkah) which mark the foundation of this religion, it stresses not only upon human rights but animal rights as well.
Every year, the dates of Ramadan and Eid change – as the Muslim calendar, which began when Prophet Mohammad migrated from Mecca to Medina (also known as Hijr) in 622 AD – is based on the phases of the moon.
It is a significant Muslim festival and a public holiday involving activities including prayers, asking for forgiveness and pledging solidarity, social gatherings and family reunions as well as giving to charity.On Eid, people wear new clothes and visit holy shrines to seek blessings of the divine.
The day in holy cities of Saudi Arabia, Mecca and Medina started with Eid prayers being offered at the Grand Mosque and Masjid-e-Nabwi, where a large number of people were present in the congregations.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and greeted the nation on this auspicious day.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu offers Namaz at Gandhi Municipal stadium in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada on the ocassion of Eid.
