Islamic Holidays

Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims may invoke zakat (charity) on the occasion which begins after the new moon sighting for the beginning of Shawal. The Eid al-Fitr celebration begins with prayers the morning of the 1st of Shawal, and is followed by breakfast, and often celebratory meals throughout the day.

Eid Al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah when Hajj (pilgrimage) takes place, and lasts for four days. Muslims may invoke an act of zakat and friendship by the slaughter of a sheep and distribute its meat in 3 parts: among family, friends, and the poor. Muslims are also encouraged to be especially friendly and reach out to one another during this period.

Both of the holidays occur in the lunar based Islamic calendar which is different from the solar based Gregorian calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the synodic period of the Moon’s revolution around the Earth, approximately 29​¹⁄₂ days. The Islamic calendar alternates months of 29 and 30 days (which begin with the new moon). Twelve of these months make up an Islamic year, which is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. The Gregorian calendar is based on the orbital period of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, approximately days.

Kaaba during Hajj

Islamic Eid holidays

Main articles: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

Religious practices

Fasting

Main article: Ramadan

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when the Quran was revealed to Muhammad. Fasting is a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in Allah.

The act of fasting represents the condition experienced by the needy, who although already hungry must also fast for Ramadan. Muslims fast by denying themselves food, water and all related sexual activity with their spouses, but people with chronic diseases or unhealthy conditions such as diabetes, and children are exempt from fasting. Travelers, and women who are menstruating or nursing a baby, are exempt from fasting as well during their special situation but are required to fast later. A person’s observance of fasting can be for naught if religiously forbidden acts are made, such as Ghibah (backbiting others) and deceiving others.

Pilgrimage

Diagram indicating the order of Hajj rituals

Hajj

Main article: Hajj

Umrah

Main article: Umrah

Dates of holidays and other days of note

Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia