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Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday known as the festival of breaking the fast. This holiday marks an end to Ramadan, a month of fasting from food and drinks between dawn and sunset.
Eid is celebrated the first three days of Shawwal and typically Muslims in Muslim countries celebrate Eid for the three days, whilst Muslims in the US may take a day off work and school.
Traditions
From Somalia to South Asia, hands decorated with henna are a common sight beginning the night before Eid. Henna is one of the special traditions Muslim women take part in for Eid preparation. Other traditions include dressing up in nice, often brand-new clothes and decorating houses with lanterns, twinkling lights, and flowers.
Eid Prayer
Giving thanks to God is a core theme during Ramadan and on the morning of Eid, Muslims offer a special Salat al-jama'ah or congregational prayer at the mosque. Hanan, Layla, and Danny offered Eid prayers at Al-Ihsan mosque while other students spent their mornings at other Mosques like Eastern Twin Cities Islamic Center.
Quality Time with Friends and Family
Eid is centered around celebrating with family, friends, and people within the community. Families slowly gather together, throughout the day, to enjoy a rich feast, where loved ones exchange gifts and money. Sundus and Fatuma spent their Eid presenting research at NCUR and ended their Eid exploring Long Beach California.
Eid Feasts
After a month of fasting, Eid is all about food, and Muslims celebrate with happy gatherings and carnivals at mosques. This Eid, Hamline students Asma'a and Mohamed went to the Al Taqwa mosque where they feasted on a variety rich delicacies at a potluck with relatives and neighbors.
Written By Hanan Abdi '26
Communications Intern