08 April 2024 , 15:59
1252
0
Eid-al-Fitr is an occasion celebrated by roughly two billion Muslims in the world, marking the end of Ramadan - a month of fasting, prayer and self reflection. But, if you've never been party to this festival, you may surprised to know its date is determined by the moon - and we may not know when it is, until the day before.
While this may sound confusing, it really just requires paying attention to typical lunar cycles, which usually last between 29 and 30 days. As tonight is the 29th day of Ramadan, Muslims everywhere will be watching the western horizon in the hopes of spotting a crescent moon.
If visible, the month of Ramadan will finally come to a close, with Eid celebrations kicking off tomorrow. But, if no new moon is spotted, another day of fasting will take place to conclude the 30-day month.
This will also mark the 10th month in the Islamic calendar - also referred to as 'Hijri'. This is the official calendar used in Saudi Arabia, composed of 12 lunar months and 354 to 355 days - rather than the typical 365.
Often, Eid is referred to as 'Sweet Eid' or the 'Festival of Sweets', with many traditional desserts served up every year in various countries. In many Middle Eastern cultures, this may include baklava - a delicious sweet pastry made with honey and chopped nuts - or Shahi Tukda, a popular fried bread dessert.
Ronaldo jets off to Saudi Arabia as unveiling plans for transfer confirmed
Dates also hold huge significance for many Muslims, with 'date-palm' and 'dates' mentioned in the Qur'an 22 times, according to Bayt Al Fann. It's believed they were a favourite of Prophet Muhammad's too, which he ate to break the annual fast.
"Dates are a popular food item, not just in the Middle East but all over the world," the publication explains. "They have amazing nutritional properties and just a few dates can keep you energised for hours; one of the many reasons people buy them.
"The popularity of dates reaches its peak in Ramadan where Muslims worldwide buy kilos worth of dates for their homes."
Despite this, Eid celebrations have certainly been put into question in Gaza, where more than 33,000 people have been killed amidst the six-month conflict with Israel.
According to Al-Jazeera, many Palestinians are too exhausted to partake this year, as they grapple with limited food and water supplies. One person told the publication: "There is sweet nothing about the feast this year. People are not celebrating...Everything is bitter in my mouth. It is so painful at this time which is all about family."
Got a story to share? Get in touch, at lauren.haughey@reachplc.com