Eid-al-Fitr in United States

Prayers are made during Eid-al-Fitr. ©iStockphoto.com/Nicholas Rjabow

What do people do?

On the first day of the month of Shawwal, Muslims make a special effort to attend communal prayers and listen to a khutba or sermon. In some areas, these prayers are held outside or in large venues, such as sports arenas. Muslims may travel great distances to take part and, in some places, multiple prayers and sermons may be held to accommodate all those who wish to attend. Some communities also organize other festivities, such as communal meals or events for children, on this day.

If a Muslim has not given zakat al-fitr during Ramadan, he or she can give this on Eid-al-Fitr. Zakat al-fitr is a form of charity consisting of a quantity of food, such as barley, dates, raisins or wheat flour, or its monetary equivalent given to poor people in the community. Muslims may also prepare festive meals to share, wear new clothes, visit relatives and give presents or candy to children. If people are unable to visit family members, they may send cards instead. These cards often have the words “Eid Mubbarak” (blessed Eid) on them and may be decorated with Arabic calligraphy.

Public life

Eid-al-Fitr does not affect public life in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States. However, Islamic stores, businesses and other organizations may have altered opening hours. There may also be some congestion around mosques during the day, as widely scattered Muslim families drive to Islamic centers to take part in prayers and listen to the khutbah (khutba) or sermon.

Background

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, either in Saudi Arabia or locally. 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.

Eid-al-Fitr Observances

Other holidays in October 2008 in United States

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• Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (Saturday, October 4, 2008)
• Feast of St Francis of Assisi (Saturday, October 4, 2008)
• World Teachers' Day (Sunday, October 5, 2008)
• World Habitat Day (Monday, October 6, 2008)
• Child Health Day (Monday, October 6, 2008)
• International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (Wednesday, October 8, 2008)
• Leif Erikson Day (Thursday, October 9, 2008)
• Yom Kippur (Thursday, October 9, 2008)
• World Post Day (Thursday, October 9, 2008)
• World Mental Health Day (Friday, October 10, 2008)
• Columbus Day (Monday, October 13, 2008)
• Native Americans' Day (Monday, October 13, 2008)
• Indigenous People's Day (Monday, October 13, 2008)
• First day of Sukkot (Tuesday, October 14, 2008)
• White Cane Safety Day (Wednesday, October 15, 2008)
• World Food Day (Thursday, October 16, 2008)
• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (Friday, October 17, 2008)
• Alaska Day (Friday, October 17, 2008)
• Alaska Day (Saturday, October 18, 2008)
• Last day of Sukkot (Monday, October 20, 2008)
• Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Tuesday, October 21, 2008)
• United Nations Day (Friday, October 24, 2008)
• World Development Information Day (Friday, October 24, 2008)
• Halloween (Friday, October 31, 2008)
• Nevada Day (Friday, October 31, 2008)

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