About Eid

Q. Who celebrates Eid?

A. Eid is an Islamic occasion celebrated by the Muslim community.

Q. When is Eid?

A. There are two Eid celebrations each year. Both follow the Islamic calendar (a Lunar calendar), in which a year is about 354 days. Thus the Eid festivals fall approximately 11 days earlier each year. Check out the Festival Guide to see when Eid falls this year.

Being based on the visibility of the moon, the date can vary across the globe by a day or so.

Q. What is the history of Eid?

A. Eid-ul-Fitr (often called just "Eid" or festival of fast-breaking) celebrates the end of the holy month of fasting called Ramadan. It is said that it was during Ramadan that the holy Quran was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad.

Eid-ul-Adha (festival of sacrifice) is a commemoration of the story of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) steadfast willingness to sacrifice his son for the love of God, despite temptations to do otherwise. Muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca (performing the rites of Hajj - the fifth pillar of Islam) use the occasion to celebrate the end of their pilgrimage.

Q. How is Eid celebrated?

A. The celebrations for Eid-ul-Fitr begin following confirmation of the sighting of the moon. Special prayers are held in mosques. New clothes are worn, homes are decorated and plenty of special traditional foods are prepared. It is a time of giving and receiving gifts and feasting - the first daytime meal since before the month of fasting began. As with Diwali, Greeting Cards are a popular way to send wishes to loved ones.

Eid-ul-Adha is also a family and friends occasion, with prayers, new clothes and gatherings. A sacrificial lamb or sheep forms part of the feast which is enjoyed by friends and family together.