Day 27: What is Eid?

The end of Ramadan approaches and Muslim families around the world will be starting to prepare for the huge celebration at the end; Eid-al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. 

In Arabic, Eid literally translates loosely as festival. This celebration is intended to be a day of sharing goodwill with as many people you are able to (or allowed to, if you are someone who adheres to the Scottish Government's current guidance for Coronavirus and socialising with other households). Families will visit each others homes, exchange gifts and share an abundance of sugary treats; which sounds an awful lot like Christmas for us non-religious types. 


From a quick internet search, it seems people from different countries will have different ways of celebrating Eid, as well as different sweet treats or important foods that they wouldn't celebrate Eid without. For example, it is suggested in many only articles that in Turkey Baklava and Turkish Delight are one of the most popular gifts to bring to neighbours, friends and family. After sampling some from an Arabic mini market the other week, I'm not going to complain if anyone wants to congratulate me for fasting during Ramadan and bring me some traditionally made Baklava!

For clarification, there is a second Eid in the Islamic calendar; Eid-al-Adha, which appears to be more specific to one particular event in religious history, involving the sacrifice of a lamb. I'm not going to tie myself in knotts trying to tell you about this, as I found a few online resources a bit confusing as to what and why the later Eid is celebrated. If you read this and want to share a reliable resource with me about Eid-al-Adha, please do!

Since the explosion of social media and increasing corporate approach to acknowledging holidays and celebrations from a much wider range of popular UK religions than the usual Christian sects, I've often been aware of Eid and when it is happening. Corporate accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will post statements and imagery involving the phrase "Eid Mubarak". I've often wondered what this phrase meant, but am sorry to say I've never previously bothered myself to find out. Eid Mubarak is a greeting reserved for both Eid festivals and can be translated as blessed festival. 

I have never posted "Eid Mubarak" before on any of my personal or business timelines, but I'm definitely looking forward to being able to post this on every account on Thursday morning! At least I hope it is Thursday morning...

Similar to the start of Ramadan, the moon is very important in announcing the end of Ramadan and start of Eid-al-Fitr. Users of binoculars in countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco will be asked to look to the skies on the night of the 29th day of the lunar month (this Wednesday, May 12th) and enable officials in thise countries to confirm that the new moon has been sighted. No surprises for me this time if the day changes, I'm now quite knowledgeable on the process! I am sure Glasgow Central Mosque will confirm on social media as soon as their senior Imam's are aware of a sighting.

The people I speak to and follow seem pretty confident that Wednesday will be our final day of fasting and on Thursday I will celebrate my first Eid. Two of my most important friends and educators during Ramadan (Zenab and Zenith, whom I've mentioned multiple times when writing) have arranged to visit on Wednesday evening and I'm very excited to see them and celebrate the end of Ramadan for the first time.

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