Eid: Celebration for the Young and Old

by Mohamed Osama

First US Postal Eid Stamp to be released to the public in October 2001

The word Eid is an Arabic name that means a festivity, a celebration, a recurring happiness, and a feast. In Islam, there are two major Eids namely "Eid al-Fitr" (Festival of Breaking the Fast) celebrating the end of Ramadan and "Eid al-Adha" (Festival of Sacrifice) which coincides with the Hajj and commemorates prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of a sheep in place of prophet Ishmael.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims after fasting the month of Ramadan as a matter of thanks and gratitude to Almighty Allah. It takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the lunar calendar (1). Eid al-Fitr is a happy celebration with new clothes, gifts, and plenty of good food. Though technically, Eid al-Fitr is one day, Eid festivities usually last three days in Egypt with vacations for schools, universities and government offices. Some stores and restaurants are closed during Eid, too.

The Eid day starts with a small snack followed by Eid Prayers (Salat al-Eid) in congregation attended by men, women and children. Afterwards neighbors, friends and relatives start greeting each other. The most common greeting is "Eid Mubarak" (Have a blessed Eid). Children are normally given gifts, which traditionally are new clothes to wear throughout the Eid. Also, women (particularly mothers, wives, sisters and daughters) are commonly given special gifts by their loved ones.

By; Tour Egypt