The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of many greatest religious festivals of Muslims, will be celebrated today around the world amid due solemnity, fervor and gaiety as the holy Ramadan, the month of fasting and abstinence, stumbled on an end.
The auspicious occasion began with the sighting of the Shawwal moon yesterday and reached the climax this morning amid offering the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers by millions from all strata of life at mosques, Eidgahs and makeshift prayer venues in the capital and elsewhere throughout the country.
A spokesman of the Islamic Foundation confirmed the news last night saying, “The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision after evaluating data and reports from all the district administrations, offices of Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation.”
During munajats after Eid congregations (jamaats), the Muslims also prayed for divine blessings to help strengthen national unity against all odds and destructive activities, including terrorism and militancy.
Eid-ul-Fitr is an Arabic word meaning “festival of breaking of the fast.” The festival marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset during the holy Ramadan.
On the Eid day morning, Muslims gather at mosques and prayer venues to perform Eid prayers and greet each other. The festival is celebrated by visiting friends and relatives, hosting food parties and sharing sweets. Children not only get new clothes and shoes, but also receive cash gifts called “Salami” from their elders, relatives and well-wishers.
