Eid Al-Fitr 101: A Guide For Non-Muslims

By Staff Reporter | Jul 16, 2015 09:44 AM EDT

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It's the end of Ramadan, and Muslims all over the world will gather with their friends and love ones to mark the end of this sacred occasion. For non-Muslims, some are just confined to the knowledge that Eid al-Fitr is the end of Ramadan, a Muslim holiday. But what exactly is Eid al-Fitr?

The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are allowed not to fast. It celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire Month of Ramadan.The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of "Shawwal" The start of any lunar Hijri month may vary based on the observation of new. However, most countries usually celebrate it on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

During the Month of Ramadan, Muslims focus on reflections and prayer, according to Albawaba. They observe three types of worship: charity, praying and fasting from dawn to sunset. Muslims also abstain from sex, smoking, and make a conscious effort to avoid speaking ill of others. These acts are intended to make worshippers focus on discipline and to develop a sense of altruism.

For the record, Eid is not exactly a celebration of the end of fasting. Rather, according to the Independent, Muslims are grateful for having the strength to complete the month and give thanks for the delicious food that go along with the occasion.

After morning prayers and breakfast, during Eid al-Fitr people flash their sartorial best and gather with their friends and family for their first daylight meal in a month. Hommes are well-decorated and gifts are exchanged.

With the celebration of Eid al-Fitr in full force, authorities in Islamabd had drawn out security measures, as the city police on Wednesday made a detailed security plan for the eve of Eid al-Fitr, where 2600 policemen would render security duties at 750 mosques and 40 Imambargahs during Eid prayer as well as other important building to avert any toward incident, as reported by Business Recorder.

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