11 Fascinating Facts You Might Not Know About Eid Al-Fitr

In late June this year, Muslims across the globe will mark Eid al-Fitr, a festival that signifies the conclusion of Ramadan. Here's everything you should know about this significant holiday, celebrated by over a billion Muslims worldwide.

1. IT'S A CELEBRATION OF BREAKING THE FAST.

Throughout Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating from dawn until dusk to honor the month during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of this month—and the end of fasting. The fast isn't limited to food alone—it also involves refraining from taking medications, drinking liquids (including water), smoking, and engaging in sexual activities.

2. THE HOLIDAY'S NAME IS A DIRECT TRANSLATION.

"Eid al-Fitr" is a straightforward translation of the occasion being celebrated: "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast," or "the Feast of Fast-Breaking."

3. EID AL-FITR BEGINS WITH THE SIGHTING OF THE NEW MOON.

Eid al-Fitr doesn't commence until the new moon is visible in the sky (although traditionally, and still today for many Muslims, it begins only when the faintest sliver of a waxing crescent moon is spotted). This means that Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at different times and even on different days worldwide, depending on location. To standardize it, some Muslims choose to observe Eid when the new moon is sighted over Mecca, rather than their own region.

4. RAMADAN AND EID AL-FITR FALL ON VARYING GREGORIAN DATES EACH YEAR.

The Islamic calendar follows lunar cycles, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar cycle. Each new month begins with the appearance of the new moon. The average new moon occurs every 29.53 days, making lunar months slightly shorter than Gregorian months, which typically last 30 or 31 days. As a result, Ramadan shifts about 10 days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.

5. EID AL-FITR USUALLY LASTS FOR THREE DAYS.

The celebration traditionally lasts for three days, though the festivities may extend longer depending on the calendar. For instance, if the three days fall in the middle of the week, the celebrations might continue through the weekend.

6. ON EID MORNING, MUSLIMS PURIFY THEMSELVES AND WEAR NEW CLOTHES.

Before heading out for the morning prayers, Muslims begin their day by performing a cleansing ritual known as "ghusl." Similar to wearing new clothes for Easter, many Muslims choose to wear fresh attire or their finest clothing, often adorning their hands with intricate henna designs. Some opt for traditional garments, while others go for modern outfits.

7. THERE ARE SPECIAL EID GREETINGS.

"Eid Mubarak," which translates to "Have a blessed Eid!", is a common greeting exchanged during the festival.

8. THEN COMES THE PRAYERS.

Once dressed and prepared for the day, Muslims gather at mosques or open spaces for prayers. Following the prayers, they often visit the graves of loved ones to offer prayers and tidy up the gravesites.

9. GIFTS ARE PART OF THE CELEBRATION.

After a month of fasting and sacrifice, Eid al-Fitr is a time of plenty—not just in terms of food. Gifts are commonly exchanged, especially with children. These gifts, which can include money, accessories, home items, or flowers, are known as "Eidi."

10. IT'S OFTEN CALLED "THE LESSER EID."

Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major Eid celebrations in Islam. The other is Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice or "Greater Eid." Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice Ibrahim (Abraham) was prepared to make for Allah. Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha falls on different dates each year on the Gregorian calendar.

11. THE WHITE HOUSE HOSTED ITS FIRST EID AL-FITR DINNER IN 1996.

While the first iftar dinner at the White House—the evening meal to break the fast during Ramadan—was held in 1805 by President Thomas Jefferson for the visiting Tunisian envoy, it was First Lady Hillary Clinton who hosted the first official Eid al-Fitr dinner in 1996. The Clintons continued this tradition annually, and each president after them has hosted similar dinners. George W. Bush held one every year, and Barack Obama hosted his final one in July 2016.