Eid-al-Fitr in Canada

Many Muslims in Canada celebrate Eid al-Fitr (also known as Id al-Fitr or Eid ul-Fitr) on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and the start of a feast that lasts up to three days in some countries.

Gifts are exchanged during Eid al-Fitr.

©iStockphoto.com/Paul Cowan

What do people do?

Eid al-Fitr is an important Islamic holiday for the Muslim community in Canada. This event involves many Muslims waking up early and praying either at an outdoor prayer ground or a mosque. People dress in their finest clothes and adorn their homes with lights and other decorations.

Old wrongs are forgiven and money is given to the poor. Special foods are prepared and friends or relatives are invited to share the feast. Gifts and greeting cards are exchanged and children receive presents.  Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion but its underlying purpose is to praise God and give thanks to him, according to Islamic belief.

Large crowds have gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in cities such as Ottawa in the recent past. Political leaders in Canada have also made statements to wish their best to Islamic communities during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Children’s publications about holidays such as Eid al-Fitr have also written and made available in many parts of North America, including Canada.

Public life

Eid al-Fitr is not a national public holiday in Canada. However, many Islamic businesses and organizations may alter their business hours during this event. There may be some congestion around mosques around this time of the year. 

Background

Eid al-Fitr is also known as the Feast of Fast-Breaking or the Lesser Feast. It marks the end of Ramadan and the start of a feast that lasts up to three days in some countries, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. It is one of Islam’s two major festivals, with Eid al-Adha being the other major festival. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the fasting that occurs during Ramadan.  

It is not possible to predict the date of Eid al-Fitr according to the Gregorian calendar accurately. This is because the month of Shawwal begins, and hence the month of Ramadan ends, after a confirmed sighting of the new moon. The new moon may be sighted earlier or later in specific locations. Hence, Muslims in different communities, for example on the east and west coasts of the USA and Canada, may begin the Eid-al-Fitr celebrations on different dates.

About Eid-al-Fitr in other countries

Eid-al-Fitr Observances

Related holidays

• Eid-al-Adha ―Tuesday, October 15, 2013
• Ramadan begins ―Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Other holidays in August 2013 in Canada

• Laylat al-Qadr ―Saturday, August 3, 2013
• British Columbia Day ―Monday, August 5, 2013
• Heritage Day in Alberta ―Monday, August 5, 2013
• Natal Day ―Monday, August 5, 2013
• Civic/Provincial Day ―Monday, August 5, 2013
• New Brunswick Day ―Monday, August 5, 2013
• Assumption of Mary ―Thursday, August 15, 2013
• Gold Cup Parade ―Friday, August 16, 2013
• Discovery Day ―Monday, August 19, 2013