Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the month Shawwal — the 10th month of the lunar Islamic calendar. The holiday will begin as the new moon appears in the sky (some Muslims begin to celebrate when the moon rises over Mecca). The celebration usually continues for the next 2 – 3 days.
As well as other Islamic holidays, Eid Al-Fitr doesn’t have an exact date on the Gregorian calendar. It’s because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles while the Gregorian calendar is based on the solar cycle. For this reason, the date of the celebration is constantly changing. For example, in 2018 it was on June 15, and in 2017 — on June 25.
On the day of the holiday, Muslims perform a festive ritual Salat al-Eid (Eid prayers), put on the best clothes, prepare traditional dishes. The traditional greeting is «Eid Mubarak!» which means «Have a blessed Eid!». Also on this holiday, it is customary to give a lot of different gifts, especially to children. People visit each other, friends greet one another. Everyone gathers at the holiday table, congratulating loved ones, family members, and friends on the holiday and the end of the fast. This is a time of universal joy and fun. On this day all Muslims thank Allah for all blessings bestowed upon them by Him.
On the joyful celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in UAE, many different events are held throughout all major cities. Tourists have chance to see some spectacular entertainment in many locations — special performances, concerts, shows, dance performances, live music, and so. It’s interesting both for adults and children. During the holiday malls are often provide attractive offers and discounts. Since the holiday is dedicated to the end of the fast, a grand variety of mouth-watering offers are all around. Many delicacies of both local and international cuisines are prepared for guests at the numerous cafes and restaurants. This is a great time for foodies to enjoy and try something new – in really large scale.
During Eid holidays in Dubai, be sure to visit places like The Walk, Dubai Festival Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and many others! In Sharjah, those places are Al Majaz and Al Buhaira Corniche. There, you will have chance to see amazing fireworks and other activities celebrating Eid Al-Fitr.
