Eid celebrations in other countries

Few festivals in the Muslim world are anticipated with greater delight than Eid el-Fitr. It is this festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the annual assertion of ‘the spirit over the flesh’.

In Islam, believers are called upon to cease all consumption of food and drink between the hours of daylight for 30 consecutive days. This period is called Ramadan (Ramazan in Iran and Turkey, Ramzan in the Indian subcontinent). After dark during Ramadan, people may eat and drink as much as they wish.

Both the start and the finish of Ramadan coincide with the sighting of the new moon in the sky

Both the start and the finish of Ramadan coincide with the sighting of the new moon in the sky. Today, despite modern technology, the month of Ramadan may still begin and end on different days in different countries depending on the reliable sighting of the crescent moon. In Britain, Eid will be celebrated on 1 October in 2008.

Customs and traditions

There is a wide range of customs and traditions that mark the Eid el-Fitr celebrations in various countries in North Africa, the Middle and Far East and even in the Pacific, but in general it is looked upon as a day of family, rather than public celebration.

The day always starts with special Eid prayers at the main mosque (also attended by the women in some countries), followed later in the day by a large celebratory lunch at the house of the senior member of the family. Everywhere children receive gifts of cash and new clothes.

Preparation for the festival often starts the day before and the entire celebration can last up to five days.

Eid around the world

Bahrain

In Bahrain, people even mark the half-way point in Ramadan. On the 15th day, children dress smartly and call at their friends’ and neighbours’ homes in the evening and are given sweets. On Eid el-Fitr itself, the family lunch will consist of biryani (a mixed rice dish of meat and spices), sago dishes, stuffed, sweet pastries (sambouseh), and other sweetmeats.

Iraq

In Iraq, the family will enjoy a breakfast of buffalo cream with honey and bread before going on to the family lunch together. Here, a lamb may be sacrificed for the occasion, and a special Eid sweetmeat called klaicha, a date-filled pastry, is made.

Egypt

Egypt sees four days of celebration, with preparations starting several days earlier. Special biscuits are made to give to friends and relatives on the day. The men will go to the mosque early in the morning, while the women start work on the preparation of the fish that will form the centerpiece of a great celebratory lunch.

Palestine

In Palestine, in addition to prayers and family celebrations, a special sweetmeat, k"ak al-tamar, is made to serve with coffee.

Somalia

In Somalia, a three-day celebration starts with a family lunch which includes rice mixed with meat and vegetables, and pasta accompanied by anjira (a thin bread prepared liked chapatti). Halva, which in Somalia is more like a cumin-flavoured custard, is also served, along with special fried (or baked) biscuits made of flour, sugar, oil, warm water and baking powder

India, Pakistan and Fiji

One of the special dishes in India, Pakistan and Fiji is savayya, a dish of fine, toasted vermicelli noodles, which is served for the first breakfast after the fast. Toasted vermicelli may be found in many ethnic stores in Britain, but it is easily made by browning fine vermicelli in a warm oven, or by dry-frying broken pieces in a frying pan until browned. It can then be boiled until soft, drained and mixed with creamy milk and sugar.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the family lunch consists of dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef, but never fish. In Indonesia, the family lunch consists of dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef, but never fish which is too ubiquitous in Indonesia to be considered as a celebratory dish. The traditional sweet is lapis legit, a rich layered cake. Here, the celebrations will last for a whole month.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, three public holidays mark Eid, but the visiting and celebrations will also continue for a month. Festive dishes include ketupat (rice cooked in wrapped coconut leaves) and lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo cane), served with beef rendang.