Special Announcements 

Elementary

Muslims fast for 29 to 30 days every year in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset to experience what it feels like to be poor and hungry, and to focus on self-control in order to be a better person. Once the month is over, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, with family and friends, wearing fancy clothes and sharing gifts, for up to three days.

Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting in Ramadan. This festival is three days long and begins with Muslims gathering for prayer at mosques the morning of the first day. It is a celebration with lots of food, gifts, new clothes, and visits with family and friends. If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say ‘Eid Mubarak'!

Eid-al-Adha means the ‘festival of sacrifice' and celebrates the story of Prophet Abraham and his obedience to God. It also marks the end of Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. They celebrate by feasting on meat and sharing it with their neighbours and the poor. During the four days of this festival, there are special prayers at the mosque, presents, family parties, and new clothes. If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say “Eid Mubarak”!

Middle

Muslims fast for 29 to 30 days every year in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset to experience what it feels like to be poor and hungry, and to focus on self-control in order to be a better person. Once the month is over, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, with family and friends, wearing fancy clothes and sharing gifts, for up to three days.

Eid-al-Fitr, or the ‘Festival of the Breaking of the Fast', marks the end of the month of fasting in Ramadan. This festival is three days long, and begins with Muslims gathering for prayer at mosques the morning of the first day. It is a celebration with lots of food, gifts, new clothes and visits with family and friends. If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say “Eid Mubarak”!

Eid-al-Adha means the ‘festival of sacrifice', and celebrates the story of prophet Abraham's willingness to give what he valued most to God, as a demonstration of his faith. A similar story of Abraham's submission to God is told in the Bible and Torah. Muslims celebrate by feasting on meat, and sharing it with their neighbours and the poor. Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of Hajj. During Hajj the uniformity of dress, regardless of social status or culture, is a reminder of the importance of equality as pilgrims perform the pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. During the four days of this festival there are special prayers at the mosque, presents, family parties and new clothes. If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say “Eid Mubarak”!

Secondary

Ramadan Mubarak! Muslims fast for 29-30 days every year in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam or part of the framework of Muslim life. Muslims don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset to experience what it feels like to be poor and hungry, and to focus on self-control in order to be a better person. Each evening, Muslims break their fast with a communal dinner called an iftar. During Ramadan, Muslims make every effort to recite the Quran, as well as perform extra prayers, engage in charity, and perform good deeds in order to reach a higher level of spirituality. Once the month is over, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, with family and friends, wearing fancy clothes and sharing gifts, for up to three days.

Eid-al-Fitr, or the ‘Festival of the Breaking of the Fast', marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan. This festival is three days long and begins with Muslims gathering for prayer at mosques the morning of the first day. It is a celebration with lots of food, gifts, new clothes, charity and visits with family and friends. As Muslims use a lunar calendar, the date of that day is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before (or by astronomical calculation). If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say ‘Eid Mubarak'!

Eid-al-Adha means the ‘Festival of Sacrifice', and remembers the Prophet Abraham's obedience to God when he was told to sacrifice his son Ishmael, in a test of his faith. Having proved the strength of his belief, Abraham was instead allowed to sacrifice a ram. A similar story of Abraham's sacrifice is also recounted in the Torah and the Bible. Today, Muslims around the world slaughter goats, cows or lambs to honour this event. The meat is shared among family, friends, neighbours and the poor and the meat is served at a feast to mark the occasion. In addition, Eid-al-Adha marks the end of the Hajj. During the Hajj uniformity found in the clothing of the pilgrims strips the social status, cultural differences, wealth and pride of the pilgrims so that Muslims remember the importance of equality as they perform this pilgrimage with others from around the globe in the holy city of Makkah. During the four days of Eid, there are special prayers at the mosque, presents, and new clothes. If you want to give someone Eid greetings, you can say “Eid Mubarak”.