Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion celebrated over three days by around two billion Muslims worldwide. The event marks the end of Ramadan, an entire month of fasting. Families and communities come together to commemorate the occasion with celebrations, gifts, and charitable acts. It is a reward from Allah for completing the period of fasting and remembrance.

Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan has many festivities, beginning with chaand raat, the night before Eid. Markets are filled to the brim with last- minute Eid shoppers searching for shoes and jewelry, while henna stalls attract women and girls of all ages applying mehndi in intricate designs and patterns. Food stalls offer steaming hot street food for everyone during the festivities. This joyous night is full of a nostalgic charm; it brings a sense of eagerness for the festivities to follow over the next three days. It is also a time for Muslims to express gratitude to Allah for the strength granted to them over the thirty days of remembrance, fasting, and devotion from dawn to dusk.
In the early hours of the day of Eid, men gather together to pray Salat-ul-Eid, or as we often call it in Pakistan, Eid ki namaz. This congregational prayer allows socializing before and after the prayer, fostering a sense of brotherhood. When they arrive home, everyone partakes in breakfast together while dressed in new clothes purchased for the occasion. Later in the day, families and neighbors all get together, sharing food and laughter while giving gifts or money to the children, known as Eid. It is an event that emphasizes the communal aspect of Islam—we act as one body, celebrating and praying together. The celebration allows families to spend three days together, which is a precious time in the increasingly busy modern world.
The Significance of Zakat-al-Fitr
Eid is not just a time for celebration but also acts of charity. Zakat-al-Fitr is a mandatory charity act involving money to the less fortunate before the Eid prayers. Some opt to give it a few days before Eid commences. The purpose of this charity is so that the less fortunate can prepare for and participate in Eid festivities. In some communities, feeding people experiencing poverty on Eid-ul-Fitr is also common. Such acts ensure a sense of community. It allows everyone to be included in celebrations regardless of their socio-economic status.
Eid-ul-Fitr Across the Globe
Throughout the world, different cultures celebrate Eid in various ways. In Pakistan, celebrations involve visiting melas, fairs, or gathering the family for an outing, but other countries have a variety of celebrations. In Palestine, for example, following the conclusion of the Eid prayers, families visit graveyards to pay their respects to passed loved ones. In Turkey, Eid-ul-fitr is known as Şeker Bayramı, which directly translates to ‘sugar feast’. The preparation of and indulgence in traditional sweets such as Baklava, Kunafa, and Lokum (Turkish delights) is a central part of the celebrations, which many feel would be incomplete without. It is a Turkish tradition dating back to the days of the Ottoman Empire to gift sweets to friends, neighbors, family, and the less fortunate. Malaysians will often host open houses on the occasion of Eid-ul-fitr. This involves preparing food and socializing with friends, neighbors, family, and strangers who will show up at the house and exchange Eid greetings.
A Symbol of Muslim Unity and Brotherhood
Such a practice, which involves welcoming even strangers into one’s home, indicates the generous spirit of this holiday. It also emphasizes the sense of unity promoted by Islam and practiced by Muslims. Despite the nuances of different cultures, interestingly, all celebrations of Eid-ul-fitr across the globe are quite the same. This also speaks to the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the extent to which brotherhood is promoted in Islam. All cultures partake in communal gatherings, giving gifts or money, charitable acts for the poor, and, of course, the Eid prayers.
The Role of Eid-ul-Fitr in Promoting Peace, Unity, and Social Harmony
In essence, Eid-ul-Fitr is an opportunity to strengthen and celebrate the bond of the Muslim community. It is an occasion that brings us all together and allows us to truly appreciate what we have been given by Allah. At the same time, it is another way in which Islam promotes charitable acts. Allah commands us to give to the needy and ensure that they are included in the celebrations of Eid.
This allows reflection and shows how much emphasis has been placed on the importance of charity in Islam—the more we uplift those who are needy, the more inclusive our communities and society emerge. While for many, the significance of Eid-ul-Fitr lies in new clothes and receiving Eidi, it is important to remember that the real significance lies in charity and having an occasion to come together. Muslims must not forget that holding onto the values they instill in themselves during Ramadan is another factor that Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates—we are being rewarded for our good deeds and such rewards can only be multiplied if we continue them outside of the holy month.

The writer is a Mass Communication and Journalism student at NUST, passionate about storytelling and digital media.
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