(NewsNation) — Millions of Muslims worldwide are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday on Wednesday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Islamic holiday is celebrated differently globally, but it’s marked with congregational prayers and festivities that typically include family visits, gatherings and new clothes. Some common Eid greetings are Eid Mubarak, or Blessed Eid, and Happy Eid.
This year, some events were overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Gaza and Israel’s expected military offensive in Rafah city after six months of war.
During Ramadan, as Muslims around the world savored the traditions of their diverse communities, advocacy, prayers and charity for Palestinians in Gaza were high on the minds of many.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr means the feast, or festival, of breaking the fast.
After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate the festive three-day holiday Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, with feasts and family visits. Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is the second major Islamic holiday. Children are often given new clothes and gifts.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
The start of Eid is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location.
Islam follows a lunar calendar, so Ramadan and Eid cycle through the seasons. This year, the first day of Eid al-Fitr is on or around April 10; the exact date may vary among countries and Muslim communities.
What are some Eid al-Fitr traditions?
Before Eid al-Fitr, markets teem with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets.
An “open house” fills the air as friends and families trade visits celebrating the holiday and enjoying traditional delicacies such as ketupat, rice cooked in a palm leaf pouch, and rendang, a meat dish stewed in spices and braised in coconut milk. Older Muslims give money in green packets to children and guests who visit their homes.
Making or buying Eid cookies dusted with powdered sugar is another fixture of marking the holiday in the country.
How else is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, many people embark on an exodus to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. This year, an estimated 193.6 million travelers are expected to crisscross the vast archipelago for Eid in a homecoming tradition known locally as “mudik.”
In Malaysia, Muslims also have a homecoming tradition for Eid. The first day usually begins with a morning prayer in the mosque, seeking forgiveness from family and friends, and visiting loved ones’ graves.
In Egypt, families partake in Eid prayers amid a festive atmosphere. Many visit relatives, friends or neighbors, and some travel to vacation spots. Children, usually wearing new Eid outfits, receive traditional cash gifts known as “eidiya.”
In the United States, where Muslims make up an ethnically and racially diverse minority, many come together for Eid prayers and for festivals featuring fun activities for children and families. These often include such things as face painting and balloon twisting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.