Here is why there are two Eids
And 2022 celebrations are bound to be more joyous and special than ever, as many families were separated due to coronavirus restrictions for Eid 2020 and 2021.
Ramadan 2022 began on the evening of Friday, April 1 and will end on the evening of Sunday, May 1 – at which point Muslims will partake Eid-al-Fitr, one of their Eid celebrations of the year.
Though it is one of two Islamic religious festivals celebrated each year, Eid-al Fitr comes first.
So, when does it take place, and what does it celebrate?
When is Eid-al Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is also called the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’.
Unsurprisingly, given the name, the festival celebrates the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.
Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
In the UK, Eid-al Fitr will last for one day, and is predicted to start on Monday, May 2, 2022.
Like the start of Ramadan, this is subject to the official sighting of the crescent moon, and may vary in different countries.
Observers will look for the first sighting on the 29th day of Ramadan, and if the moon is seen, Ramadan is deemed to have ended.
If it isn’t, then it goes on another day and Shawwal starts the day after that.
What happens during Eid-al Fitr?
One thing to know about Eid-al-Fitr is that it is forbidden to fast.
Eid will generally be celebrated with meals among family, friends and communities. Sometimes, it is referred to as the Sugar Feast, alluding to the fact that many Muslims will indulge in some sweet treats after their fasting.
Eid al-Fitr is also a time when presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited.
In addition, it’s normal for men to greet other men with a big hug, and women to do the same to other women in a bid to create goodwill between all.
Because one of the five pillars of Islam is Zakat – giving to charity – many Muslims will also celebrate by giving to charity and helping out others.
During Eid, there is a type of charitable giving called Zakat al-Fitr, which takes place at the end of Ramadan, or given out just before the end so that everyone can celebrate during Eid-al Fitr.
What and when is Eid-al Adha?
As well as Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha each year.
This year, it will began on Saturday, July 9 in the evening and end on Wednesday, July 13.
This festival revolves around the story of Allah appearing to Ibrahim in a dream and asking him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as a sign of his faith.
It has similarities to the Christian and Jewish tales where God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but spared him from doing so.
During Eid-al Adha, some Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals. In Britain, this is done in a slaughterhouse, and the meat is divided up among friends, family and donated to those in need.
Eid al-Fitr means ‘Feast of breaking of the fast’ whilst Eid al-Adha means ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’.
Like many things in the Islam religion, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar.
MORE : Greetings, quotes and sayings to mark Eid al-Fitr
MORE : One of UK’s youngest Imams busts myths about Muslims for Ramadan
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