When is Eid al-Fitr 2023? | Infographic news

As the fasting month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world prepare for Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast.”

A new moon was sighted after Maghrib prayers in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening, meaning Eid celebrations there will begin on Friday, April 21.

BREAKING NEWS: The Crescent of the month of Shawwal 1444 was sighted today in Tumair and Sudair tomorrow i.e. Friday 21st April 2023 is the day of Eid Al Fitr pic.twitter.com/qYLSoAtglG

— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) April 20, 2023

Other countries follow independent observations.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days, so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify the date.

If the new moon is visible, the next day will be Eid, if not, Muslims will fast one more day to complete a 30-day month.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and mosques.

Malaysian Islamic religious officials observe the position of the moon to determine the sighting of the crescent moon in Putrajaya, Malaysia, March 22, 2023 [EPA Images]

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Eid is traditionally celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of vacation days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid Day celebrations by participating in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, outside the iconic Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, May 2, 2022. [File: Emrah Gurel/AP Photo]

On their way to prayer, which is traditionally held in an open space, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is great.”

It is customary to eat something sweet before prayer, such as date-filled cookies known as maamoul.

Alia Chughtai/Al Jazeera

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbors and accepting sweets as they move from house to house.

Every country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Throughout the Middle East, making date-filled semolina cookies called maamoul has been a tradition during Eid. They can also be filled with nuts and dusted with icing sugar.

Sheer khurma or siviyaan is the Eid specialty in Indian and Pakistani households. Noodles and milk pudding are often decorated with nuts or raisins.

Baklava, a layered pastry, is also prepared for Eid in Turkey and throughout the region. Layers of thin filo pastry are filled with pistachios and other nuts soaked in orange blossom syrup. The traditional sweet can also be made with a variety of different fillings.

In Nigeria, making amala with ewedu is a celebratory dish served on special occasions such as Eid. Ewedu is a traditional plant-based soup served with yam or cassava flour accompanied by a meat stew.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, tufahija (stuffed apples poached in simple syrup, sometimes filled with walnuts) is a traditional dessert served at Eid-al-Fitr.

In Morocco, a savory cake made from chicken or pigeon, known as bastilla, is often prepared for Eid. The meat is marinated for a day or two, wrapped in thin layers and then baked or fried.

Alia Chughtai/Al Jazeera

Children, dressed in new clothes, are given gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

In some countries, families visit cemeteries to pay their respects to deceased family members.

A Kashmiri family visits their relative’s grave in a graveyard during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations in Srinagar [File: EPA Images]

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold parties to mark the end of the fasting month.

What are the common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary by country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages ​​around the world.

How people say Eid Mubarak in different languages ​​around the world. #EidMubarak

Read more: pic.twitter.com/bNwYZxdHyW

— AJ Labs (@ajlabs) April 18, 2023

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