Riyaz ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
1.6 billion Muslims across globe are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday.
The Shawal moon was seen last late night and it was verified by various Hilal Committees across Muslim nations thus ending 1437 Ramzan when Muslims fasted for long hot days in 2016 summer. Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman of Pakistan declared it late Tuesday night around 10:09 PM (IST) that Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday.
It is after many decades that Muslims across globe are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr altogether. Otherwise Saudi Arabia, the holy land of Muslims, celebrate Eid a day ahead of South and South East Asian countries. It is after almost thirty years that sub-continent is celebrating Eid with Saudi Arabia today.
Ramzan finished on 6 July this year thus marking the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Literally translated from Arabic as the ‘festival of breaking the fast’, the religious holiday usually lasts for a number of days.
The celebrations involve a range of traditions, generally including a gathering of family and friends to eat and pray together.
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar, although its significance is purely spiritual.
The festival has no connection with any historical event but is a day where Muslims thank Allah for the strength, the will and the endurance he gives them, especially during Ramzan.
Regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Ramzan is the period when Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset. They refrain from consuming food, drink and engaging in sexual relations. It also includes the increased offering of prayers and recitation of the Qur’an.
This year’s Eid comes in wake of triple blasts in Saudi Arabia including one in holy city of Madinah. Four Saudi security officials lost their lives in the blast.
On the other hand, Muslim world is pained at the situation in Syria and Iraq. The devastating situation in Syria has left millions homeless and people have fled their homes and are living life of refugees.
The killings in Turkey and Bangladesh have also shaken the Muslims across globe.
This Eid, Muslims pray that situation improves in Muslim world and Muslim nations stabilise.
When is Eid-ul-Fitr?
On the Gregorian calendar, the date varies from one year to another and begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. It also depends on the location, with different countries observing it in different ways.
Eid-ul-Fitr in Kashmir
Muslims across Kashmir are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr along with Muslim world today. Muslims will be offering congregational Eid prayers at various places with biggest gatherings expected at Hazratbal and Eidgah Srinagar.
Given the current situation in Kashmir, pro-freedom leaders have called for peaceful protests after Eid prayers against proposed “Sainik and Pandit Colonies” and New Industrial Policy.
The concluding days of Ramzan in Kashmir witnessed rush in markets across valley.
Muslim charity organizations distributed necessary commodities amongst needy and destitute through out Ramzan while Muslims still can pay Sadqah-tul-Fitr before Eid namaz starts today.
How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
On the first morning of the celebration, many gather in local mosques or open-air locations for special prayers called Salat-al-Eid, and have breakfast.
Muslims put on their finest clothes for what will be their first daylight meal in a month. Some will exchange gifts, greeting cards and prepare special foods. Eid-ul-Fitr is to celebrate “the happiness which man feels after successfully completing an important task,” according to Al-Islam. (With inputs from The Independent)
