What is Eid?
Eid translates to “festival” or “feast” in Arabic. Eid marks the end of a fast or fasting period in Islam.
Why is Eid celebrated twice a year?
Eid is celebrated twice a year. The first Eid celebration is Eid al-Fitr, which lasts three days. The second Eid is Eid al-Adha, which spans four days. Eid al-Fitr (“the feast of breaking the fast”) marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long fast for Muslims. Eid al-Adha, translated to “feast of the sacrifice,” celebrates the end of Muslims’ annual pilgrimage to Mecca, also called the Hajj.
When is Eid 2022?
Eid al-Fitr begins the evening of Monday, May 2 and ends the evening of Tuesday, May 2, 2022. Eid al-Adha begins on July 9 and ends on July 10, 2022.
When is Eid 2022 in USA?
In the United States, Eid al-Fitr begins the evening of Monday, May 2 and ends the evening of Tuesday, May 2, 2022. Eid al-Adha begins in the United States on July 9 and ends on July 10, 2022.
When does Ramadan end in 2022?
In 2022, Ramadan runs from the evening of Monday, April 2 through the evening of Monday, May 2.
What to do on Eid?
Some Eid traditions include dressing up, snacking on some dates and heading to a mosque for special prayers just after dawn. Afterward, it’s recommended to take an alternative route home than the one you took to the mosque, with the idea of spreading joy and riches everywhere you go and to the most people possible. Some families exchange gifts, and many Muslims give food to those in need. For Eid al-Adha, some celebrants slaughter an animal as a sacrifice. The animal’s meat is cut into three parts: One for family, another for friends and extended relatives and a third for the poor. However, not all families participate in the meat tradition, and many simply donate to charity or use other means to help those less fortunate instead.
History of Eid
In the Quran, the prophet Muhammad got his first revelation during Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is believed to have originated when Muhammad arrived in Medina from Mecca and witnessed people celebrating with feasts on two specific days. Eid al-Adha, it is believed, honors God’s intervention with a ram when Ibrahim almost sacrificed his son Ismail. (If it sounds familiar, it’s because the Old Testament of the Bible has a similar story about Abraham and his own son, Isaac.) Next, learn all about Nowruz!
