How Muslims Celebrate Eid All Around the World

Eid is one of the most important holiday in Islam which is celebrated internationally by Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan, known as the blessed month of fasting and the way Eid is celebrated can vary from country to country and from region to region, but it generally shares common beliefs that emphasize gratitude, joy, and community. It’s an occasion where loved ones get together, dress up, pray and eat after fasting all month, here’s just some of the ways Muslims around the world celebrate Eid.

 

Preparation and Cleaning

Before Eid, Muslims typically engage in special preparations like Eid shopping, families often buy new clothes, food, and gifts for family and friends and there is also a lot of home cleaning which is common in many households, people tend to clean and decorate homes to create a welcoming atmosphere for the holiday. Muslims also give Zakat al-Fitr which is a special charity before Eid prayers to ensure that those in need can also celebrate.

 

Eid Prayers

On the morning of Eid, Muslims gather in large groups to perform a special prayer, usually held in open fields, mosques, or community centers and the Eid Salah (prayer) is a significant act of worship, offered in congregation, consisting of two units of prayer (Rak’ahs). People also dress in their finest new clothes, often in bright colours, to mark the festive occasion.

 

Feasting and Food

After the morning prayers, Muslims often celebrate with big family gatherings and feasts, special dishes are made in every household that celebrates Eid and food varies by region but often includes sweets like baklava, kunafa, and ma'amoul, as well as savoury dishes like biryani, kebabs, and various rice dishes. Eid Sweets are also shared out which is a common tradition and  is a hallmark of the  Eid celebration and many families make special treats or visit bakeries that make sweets only for Eid.

 

Visiting Family and Friends

Visiting relatives and friends is an important tradition on Eid, many travel far and wide to get together with their loved ones to celebrate the joyous occasion. A lot of people take time off work as a holiday to make sure they are present at this gathering. It's a time for family members to reunite and celebrate together.  Giving and receiving gifts is a key tradition, many young children are given what is known as “Eidi” from their elders, which is a cash gift for them to spend on whatever they like and gifts can range from money to clothes or sweets.

 

Community and Charity

Eid is not only about personal enjoyment but also about helping those in need, giving charity (Zakat al-Fitr) before Eid prayers is compulsory and Muslims are required to give charity to those less fortunate to ensure that they can partake in the celebrations. Many people take part in community events and help organize special gatherings, like fairs or charity drives, to bring people together and help those in need.

 

Cultural Variations

While the central celebrations are similar, different regions and countries add their own cultural flavours, for example in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE) Eid is celebrated with large gatherings, fireworks, and public celebrations and traditional foods like dates, lamb, and camel are popular and in South Asia (e.g., Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) the celebration often involves a special Eid feast with biryani and sweets like sewai (vermicelli pudding), as well as visiting relatives and neighbours. In Turkey the holiday is called Ramazan Bayramı and involves visiting cemeteries, giving gifts, and enjoying traditional desserts like baklava and lokum (Turkish delight) and in Indonesia which is known as Lebaran, it’s marked by family reunions, traditional meals like ketupat (rice cakes), people travel to hometowns for family gatherings. And in Africa (e.g., Egypt, Nigeria) the Eid celebration often include public prayers, dancing, music, and feasting, with special foods like fufu in West Africa or koshari in Egypt. Last but not least In western countries (e.g., UK, US, Canada) Muslims celebrate with community events, Eid prayers in parks or large halls, and family gatherings and many also invite non-Muslim neighbours and friends to join the celebrations to share the festive spirit.

 

Special Customs

Eid cards & greetings are usually given out, in many cultures, it’s a tradition to send or exchange Eid greeting cards or messages, wishing each other Eid Mubarak or Eid Sa'id (Happy Eid). Fireworks are also set off in some countries to light up the sky as a way to celebrate the joyous occasion and Eid fashion is a setting trend, many people start preparing for what they are going to wear on Eid weeks in advance, and they tend to spend a lot of money on just one outfit to mark the occasion, a lot of families tend to match their attire with each other, so the theme is kept universal through-out each generation.

 

People from young to old often wear brand new and extravagant clothes and in some cultures there are even particular colours or styles that are connected to Eid, overall Eid is a time for Muslims all around the world to show thanks for the blessings they've received and to cement bonds with family and friends. People also help those that are in need and the spirit of community and joy is universal, no matter which part of the world you are from.