At least 1.8 bn Muslims around the world welcomed the holy month of Ramadan on 11 March, followed by Eid Al Fitr set to begin on 10 April, and Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on 21 June 2024 – determined by moon sighting.

The Islamic Year or Calendar, which is known as the Hijri Calendar, consists of 12 lunar months, and depends on the movement of the moon. The beginning of each month is marked by the observance of a new moon seen for the first time. 

Three of the most important religious holidays or observances in the Islamic calendar are the holy month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the holy month of Ramadan on a night known as Laylat Al Qadr (The Night of Destiny or Power). In addition, fasting in Ramadan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam, meaning it’s an obligation for Muslims. This year, the holy month of Ramadan began on 11 March. It’s customary to wish people ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ or ‘Ramadan Kareem’, which means ‘Blessed Ramadan’.

Every able Muslim is required to fast with the exception of the elderly, the sick (cancer, diabetes, transplant recipient) and infirm, pregnant and nursing mothers, and travellers. If they can, they are expected to make up the days missed before the next Ramadan. In addition, children are not obligated to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty. However, children gradually begin practicing fasting around the age of seven. 

The fasting period during Ramadan is called ‘sawm’, which literally means ‘to refrain’. Muslims fast completely during the daylight hours of each day until the maghrib (sunset) prayer, refraining from food and drink, and as well as intimate contact, smoking and other ‘vices’. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking. Muslims are to refrain from evil actions as well, including thoughts and words. Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. They are to make peace with those who have wronged them, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits – essentially cleansing their lives, thoughts and feelings.

In addition, Muslims attempt to complete reading the holy Quran, which comprises 114 chapters. 

Besides the obligatory five prayers Muslims perform on a daily basis, during Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to perform non-obligatory, additional night prayers. Following the example of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims stay awake and stand in long prayers during evenings and late nights, striving to get closer to Allah. The most important of these during Ramadan is Tarawih, which is an evening prayer performed daily at the mosque. The second most important prayer in Ramadan is Qiyam Al Layl, which is an expression derived from the Quran for what is also known as Tahajjud prayer. Tahajjud is preferably offered after midnight, but before fajr. Like the Tarawih, Qiyam Al Layl is a night prayer performed through the last 10 days of Ramadan. 

Last but not least, Muslims focus their attention on giving to charity. Donations are usually focused on giving to those stricken by poverty and hunger. One type of charitable giving is Zakat, which is obligatory for those who are financially able. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat Al Mal and Zakat Al Fitr. 

Zakat is an integral part of the Muslim faith and, like fasting, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s a duty performed on a regular basis. As an opportunity to share their excess wealth with those less fortunate than themselves, Islam requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their wealth to the poor every year, which is known as Zakat Al Mal. Muslims pay it as an obligatory act of Ibadah, which is the Arabic word for worship, obedience and submission. 

On the 15th day of Ramadan in Qatar and the Gulf, children celebrate a traditional festival called Garangao, which is a celebration that Qatari children look forward to all year round. They go from door to door in groups, dressed in traditional costumes with large bags chanting ‘Give us something and Allah will give you. The house of Mecca, he will take you.’ Stock up on nuts, dried fruit and sweets to fill their bags and send them away happy. Some people adorn their homes with lights for Garangao, Eid Al Fitr, and Ramadan.

Eid Al Fitr

Every year, Muslims look forward to two of the most important festivals of the Islamic calendar – Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. This year, Eid Al Fitr will fall on 10 April and Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on 21 June – depending on the moon sighting.

Eid Al Fitr, which is also known as the Feast of Breaking the Fast, falls on the first day of the Islamic month, Shawwal, which follows the holy month of Ramadan. The joyous three-day festival is the conclusion to Ramadan. It is a time when Muslims celebrate the occasion with family and friends and give charity to those in need. Muslims begin celebrating Eid Al Fitr with prayers called ‘Salat Al Eid’ or ‘Eid prayers’. 

It’s a tradition to wear new clothes, send Eid greetings, feasting with families, and eat sweets, especially on the first day of Eid.

Other key elements of the Eid celebrations are giving money to the poor, which is known as Zakat Al Fitr – the amount to be given depends on the possessions someone has.

In Muslim countries, the entire three-day festival is an official public holiday.

Eid Al Adha

Approximately 70 days after Eid Al Fitr comes Eid Al Adha, in the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha is a remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. The Eid or festival is also known as the Great Festival as it lasts longer than Eid Al Fitr, lasting for four days rather than three. Eid Al Adha is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar.

In Muslim countries, Eid Al Adha is a public holiday where those who can afford it sacrifice a sheep (sometimes a goat, camel or a cow) as a reminder of Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah.

Once the animal is sacrificed, Muslims share the meat among family; relatives, friends, neighbours, and most importantly, the poor; each family will get a third. Some Muslims choose to donate the money which they would spend buying and sacrificing the animal to the poor or donate the animal itself to the poor in celebration of the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’.

Eid Al Adha is the time where millions of Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform a pilgrimage called Hajj, which is a mandatory religious duty in the Muslim faith. It is also the largest annual gathering of people in the world.

Others spend Eid Al Adha with Eid prayers, dressing in their best or newest clothes, and thanking Allah for all the blessings they have received.

In addition, Eid Al Adha is a time when people visit family and friends as well as offer gifts to those closest to them. Most importantly, it is obligatory to give a set amount of money or donations such as clothing to charity to help the poor or underprivileged buy new clothes and food so they can celebrate Eid Al Adha as well.

It’s customary to wish people ‘Eid Mubarak’ which means ‘Blessed Eid’.

Author: Ola Diab

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