Eid ul Fitr signals the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. It is a 3-day celebration to mark the end of the whole month of fasting. It is a religious holiday, and Muslims around the world celebrate these 3 days with their friends and family.
As this month of Ramadan is getting to a close, many must be wondering when the festival of breaking fasts is. The date might not necessarily be the same in each country as it depends on the sighting of the moon. Muslims celebrate Eid after the crescent moon appears on the final day of Ramadan. As the moon cannot appear on the same day in all countries, the holiday dates vary.
Here is the list of some countries which have confirmed the date of Eid.
Eid ul Fitr in Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan released the renewed schedule for public holidays for Eid ul Fitr. According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a summary for a 3-day holiday, but he approved 4. Now it will start on Monday, 2nd May till Thursday, 5th May. Most businesses and educational institutions will remain closed on these dates. Pakistanis spend the holidays eating different kinds of sweets and foods, offering gifts, and visiting one another.
India
Eid ul Fitr is also known as Meethi Eid in India due to the Muslims starting the day with a special sweet dish like Sewiyan (vermicelli). It is a gazetted holiday in India, but the celebration typically depends on the moon sighting. According to the calendar of the Indian government, this year’s Eid is expected to fall on Tuesday, 3rd May. However, the country did not clarify whether the holidays would last for 3 days or more or less.
Bangladesh
According to reports, Eid ul Fitr will last for only one day in India’s other neighbour. It is expected to fall on Tuesday, 2nd May and end on Wednesday, 3rd May.
United States
Just like Bangladesh, Eid ul Fitr will last for one day in the United States as well. According to reports, the dates are Sunday, 1st April to Monday, 2nd April. The dates can most probably vary depending on the moon sighting. It is not a public holiday in the US, so that the business will operate normally. However, some schools in specific areas remain closed on the day. Islamic centres also host food parties for the community in cities with a larger Muslim population.
United Arab Emirates
UAE recently approved a resolution to extend the Eid Al Fitr holidays for the entire week. Reportedly, the holidays will begin on Saturday, 30th April and end on Friday, 6th May. The workdays will be resumed from 9th May, which means that Emiratis will enjoy a 9-day long holiday this Eid.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom has forecasted 2nd May to be the day of Eid ul Fitr, but it can change depending on the moon sighting. However, the holidays will be for a longer duration. Previously, school holidays were scheduled to start on 25th April, but later they changed it to Thursday, 21st April to Sunday, 8th May. In the private sector, holidays will last for 4 days starting from Sunday, 30th April. Many other Gulf countries are expected to follow Saudi and have Eid on 2nd May.
United Kingdom
The UK also follows KSA’s Umm al Qura Calendar to forecast the date of Eid ul Fitr. It means that Eid will be on Monday, 2nd May, which is also the date for the Spring Bank holiday. It is the early May bank holiday which is naturally extending this year due to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It means that there will be a 4-day weekend and a relatively longer Eid for Muslims. Typically, UK Muslims spend their Eid at work because there are no public holidays. This is why Eid is more fun in Pakistan than in any non-Muslim country.
