GEMS World Academy Newsletter
Friday 21 April 2023
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and is a time for celebration, reflection, and spending time with loved ones. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a blessed and joyous Eid al-Fitr.
Please note that the Academy will be closed for Eid al-Fitr holidays from Thursday 20 and Friday 21 April 2023. We encourage families to use this time to celebrate, rest and spend quality time with family and friends.
We hope that this time of celebration brings joy, peace, and prosperity to all of our families. We look forward to welcoming all of our students back to school after the holidays on Monday 24 April 2023, resuming usual Academy timings, Mondays to Thursdays 08:00 - 15:15 and Fridays 08:00 - 12:00.
Ramadan 29 corresponds to Thursday 20 April on the Gregorian calendar, meaning this is the first day of the Eid public holiday. If Ramadan is confirmed as 29 days, school will resume on Monday 24 April. But, if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the public holiday will be five days, and school will resume on Tuesday 25 April. Please note that we will keep you updated via email and our social media channels.
FACTS ABOUT EID AL-FITR
WHAT EID AL-FITR MEANS TO MUSLIMS
As Muslims around the world gear up to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, the significance of this highly anticipated event cannot be overstated. Also referred to as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, Eid holds immense importance for both local and expat Muslims in the UAE. If you are curious about the customs and traditions associated with this joyous occasion, here's what you need to know.
HISTORY OF EID AL-FITR
The annual celebrations of Muslims include two significant events - Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Although both are commonly referred to as "Eid", it's important to note that they commemorate distinct acts of worship. Eid Al-Fitr, which occurs first, signifies the end of Ramadan and the breaking of the fast. On the other hand, Eid Al-Adha, which takes place later in the year, is known as the festival of sacrifice.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RAMADAN BEFORE EID AL-FITR
Eid Al-Fitr, which translates to "festival of breaking the fast", is a significant religious holiday for Muslims. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe a period of fasting. Fasting is considered a form of worship and an opportunity for Muslims to show compassion towards the less fortunate, practice patience, and strengthen their connection with God.
ORIGIN OF RAMADAN
The holy month of Ramadan holds great significance for Muslims as it commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed by the Angel Gabriel. It is believed that the "Night of Power" or Laylat Al-Qadar, when the revelation occurred, also took place during this month. Muslims worldwide are required to observe a fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan, which is intended to cultivate patience and strengthen faith. The beginning of Ramadan varies each year, depending on the sighting of the moon in the Islamic calendar.
MEANING OF EID AL-FITR
Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day celebration, marks the end of the month-long fast in Ramadan. The festival's purpose is to foster brotherhood and restore normal life after a month of religious devotion and abstaining from food and drink. Hence, it is referred to as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" or the Feast of Fasting, Sugar Feast, and Eid of Happiness. One of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al-Fitr is observed immediately after Ramadan's last day. The date of the festival depends on the sighting of the moon in different geographical locations.
The History of Eid Goes Back to the Prophet Muhammad
The Quran records that the first revelation of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad occurred during Ramadan. The verses mentioning fasting in Ramadan were revealed two years after Prophet Muhammad had established the practice of observing the holy month in their new sacred abode.
Eid Al-Fitr Observes Unique Celebrations
Eid is commemorated in distinctive ways worldwide, from Turkey to Indonesia and Malaysia to Africa. For instance, the UAE's people meet family and friends after prayer, enjoy feasts, and participate in other festive activities. Egyptians observe Eid for over four days, serving unique dishes such as Fata and Kahk. In Saudi Arabia, spreading mats on the street and sharing meals with neighbors are customary. Others express their greetings by presenting an exquisite bouquet of Eid Mubarak flowers.
Zakat-Al-Fitr
One lesser-known fact about Eid-Al-Fitr is that Muslims fulfill their obligations toward the less fortunate today. If they are financially able, they assist the poor and underprivileged by presenting them with Eid Mubarak gifts, food, clothing, sweets, and money, to bring happiness and joy to their day.
The Dates Vary Within the Islamic Community
Due to the variations in the occurrence of new moons worldwide, the date of Eid-Al-Fitr varies. As a result, specific communities rely on sighting the first crescent new moon to determine the date, while others use calculations to ascertain the start of Islamic months. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, they refer to the Umm al-Qura calendar, a computed version of the Hijri calendar.
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