After days and nights of Ramzan are spent in complete devotion to God and sincere goodwill for man, Id-ul-Fitr begins with a grand celebration.
Iraqi Sunni Muslims perform prayers in the capital Baghdad, on July 28, 2014, during the first day of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The Muslim three-day Eid al-Fitr festival began notably in Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Representational purpose. (Photo: PTI/File)
Ramadan is the time Muslims believe God started to reveal the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. For believers, Ramadan is meant to be a time of reflection and worship, remembering the hardships of others and being charitable.
Egyptian rescuers look for victims of a passenger boat after it sank in the river Nile in Giza, south of Cairo. (Photo: AP)
A Muslim man with his daughter offer prayers at the grave of his relatives on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur.
Much like Christmas or Thanksgiving in the Western world, Ramadan is a time for families and friends to gather for elaborate, fast-breaking daily meals known as iftars.
Once the new crescent moon has been sighted, observance begins. The new moon at the end of the month signals Eid al-Fitr, a three-day festival marking the end of fasting. The majority of Shiites tend to mark Ramadan a day later than Sunnis, although
Islam is based on a lunar calendar, so the start of Ramadan on the Gregorian calendar varies each year.
The holy season was marred by unprecedented turmoil, violence and sectarian hatreds that threaten to rip apart the Middle East, the epicenter of Islam.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not drink, eat or have sexual relations between dawn and nightfall.
Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen have all also said the festival will begin in their countries on Monday.
Shia fighters from the Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), a group formed by Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and tasked with defending holy sites, hold a position on the Jurf al-Sakhr front line, amid heavy fighting by Islamic State militants. (Photo:
The Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Monday in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states.
Israeli forces' flares light up the night sky of Gaza City at the wee hours of morning. A truce between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza remained elusive as diplomats sought to end the fighting at the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the
That’s why people go out of their way to look good for Eid...whether it’s having henna painted on your hands.
Women head out to shop for this special occassion. This festival strengthens faith in oneness, compassion and tolerance and instills a sense of camaraderie and goodwill towards all.
The wisdom behind obligating the charity of Fitr is two-fold; to purge the fasts of Ramzan from impurity and vile discourses and to enable the poor to enjoy the festival of Id-ul-Fitr. Seen here: People flood markets to buy gifts for family and
Every person is required to give this compulsory charity on behalf of himself. Seen here: A balloon street vendor gears up for a long day ahead.
People offer prayers outside the worship hall as they attend an Eid al-Fitr morning prayer at the Niujie mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing.
Muslims offer prayers on Eid al-Fitr at a mosque in Bhubaneswar. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.
Prophet Muhammad clearly said: “The fasts of Ramzan remain suspended between heaven and earth until the charity of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is paid.”
It also brings heavenly serenity and spiritual solace combined with the spirit of peace, mercy, unity, brotherhood and equality among people irrespective of caste, creed and faith.