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Observing Eid Al-Fitr around the world
By Aysheh Alghabin, Jordan News
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As the month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims from around
the world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which means the “festival of breaking of
the fast”. اضافة اعلان
Just like the start of Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr is declared after sighting the moon.
Usually, the day starts with prayers right after dawn, with Muslims gathering in an open area and reciting takbeerat and praising God by saying “Allahu akbar’’, which means “God is great ‘’.
After the dawn prayers, Muslims usually visit family members. During the visit, sweets are served; the most common is maamoul, which is date-filled cookies.
Origin of maamoul
According to Ahmad Zidan, an Egyptian researcher, the origin of Eid cookies extend to the Pharaonic era; the walls of the pharaonic temples in Thebes and Memphis are filled with drawings depicting people making cookies.
Wearing new clothes is a tradition on Eid, as is donating to those in need.
In some countries, families visit graveyards to pay their respects to departed family members.
Eidiyah
One of the most popular traditions, among children, at least, is Eidiyah: money given to young ones and, where possible, to other family members. But where did Eidiyah originate from?
According to Zidan, it was first practiced in Egypt in the Fatimid era by Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah the fourth Fatimid caliph, who wanted to win the hearts of the people by giving them money,
During the Mamluk era, Eidiyah used to be served on a plate next to sweets and silver and gold dinars; the sultan used to give it to princes and senior statesmen.
In the Ottoman era, Eidiyah was given to children only; the custom is still practiced nowadays, with adults giving money to children.
Eid traditions
The people of Oman used to celebrate the first day of Eid Al-Fitr by carrying out a folk tradition called “Tahloulah”, whereby men go out with lamps to cheer and praise, wearing traditional clothes, daggers and guns, while women wear jewelry and henna to celebrate the feast.
The celebration of Eid in Yemen differs from that in other countries. People collect firewood and make bonfires that they light on the night of Eid, to express joy for the arrival of Eid al-Fitr and grief over Ramadan.
In Tunisia, to show appreciation for the women’s efforts during the month of Ramadan, husbands usually drink coffee made by their wives on the first day of Eid and place a piece of gold or jewelry in the mug.
In Afghanistan, after the Eid prayer, Afghans perform an egg-breaking ceremony: crowds gather in parks and public places to see who breaks eggs faster.
The celebration in the Comoros is linked to the practice of free wrestling. With the beginning of the Eid days, competitions are held between wrestlers nominated from different regions, groups, and professional federations, to compete for the wrestling cup at the level of the three islands: Anjouan, Moheli, and Grande Comore.
Among the traditions of Eid Al-Fitr in Nigeria, the processions of princes and sultans are eagerly awaited by Nigerians who stand on the sides of road to watch the wonderful procession of the Emir (prince) of the city, which includes a group of his ministers, and a band of artists who entertain the Emir on his way to the mosque with folk songs.
In Egypt, after the prayer, people go to cemeteries and read the Quran for the dead. Some distribute pastries, dates and flowers.
Another tradition is to eat salted fish, such as fseekh and herring, which are the main staple on the occasion.
Irrespective of the traditions, the main goal is to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with loved ones, and to donate to those less fortunate.
Read more Lifestyle
Jordan News
Just like the start of Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr is declared after sighting the moon.
Usually, the day starts with prayers right after dawn, with Muslims gathering in an open area and reciting takbeerat and praising God by saying “Allahu akbar’’, which means “God is great ‘’.
After the dawn prayers, Muslims usually visit family members. During the visit, sweets are served; the most common is maamoul, which is date-filled cookies.
Origin of maamoul
According to Ahmad Zidan, an Egyptian researcher, the origin of Eid cookies extend to the Pharaonic era; the walls of the pharaonic temples in Thebes and Memphis are filled with drawings depicting people making cookies.
Wearing new clothes is a tradition on Eid, as is donating to those in need.
In some countries, families visit graveyards to pay their respects to departed family members.
Eidiyah
One of the most popular traditions, among children, at least, is Eidiyah: money given to young ones and, where possible, to other family members. But where did Eidiyah originate from?
According to Zidan, it was first practiced in Egypt in the Fatimid era by Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah the fourth Fatimid caliph, who wanted to win the hearts of the people by giving them money,
One of the most popular traditions, among children, at least, is Eidiyah: money given to young ones and, where possible, to other family members.In the first morning of Eid, Zidan said, the caliph used to come out to the people who came to visit his castle, and “give them dirhams and gold dinars”.
During the Mamluk era, Eidiyah used to be served on a plate next to sweets and silver and gold dinars; the sultan used to give it to princes and senior statesmen.
In the Ottoman era, Eidiyah was given to children only; the custom is still practiced nowadays, with adults giving money to children.
Eid traditions
The people of Oman used to celebrate the first day of Eid Al-Fitr by carrying out a folk tradition called “Tahloulah”, whereby men go out with lamps to cheer and praise, wearing traditional clothes, daggers and guns, while women wear jewelry and henna to celebrate the feast.
The celebration of Eid in Yemen differs from that in other countries. People collect firewood and make bonfires that they light on the night of Eid, to express joy for the arrival of Eid al-Fitr and grief over Ramadan.
In Tunisia, to show appreciation for the women’s efforts during the month of Ramadan, husbands usually drink coffee made by their wives on the first day of Eid and place a piece of gold or jewelry in the mug.
In Afghanistan, after the Eid prayer, Afghans perform an egg-breaking ceremony: crowds gather in parks and public places to see who breaks eggs faster.
The celebration in the Comoros is linked to the practice of free wrestling. With the beginning of the Eid days, competitions are held between wrestlers nominated from different regions, groups, and professional federations, to compete for the wrestling cup at the level of the three islands: Anjouan, Moheli, and Grande Comore.
Among the traditions of Eid Al-Fitr in Nigeria, the processions of princes and sultans are eagerly awaited by Nigerians who stand on the sides of road to watch the wonderful procession of the Emir (prince) of the city, which includes a group of his ministers, and a band of artists who entertain the Emir on his way to the mosque with folk songs.
In Egypt, after the prayer, people go to cemeteries and read the Quran for the dead. Some distribute pastries, dates and flowers.
Another tradition is to eat salted fish, such as fseekh and herring, which are the main staple on the occasion.
Irrespective of the traditions, the main goal is to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with loved ones, and to donate to those less fortunate.
Read more Lifestyle
Jordan News
