Eidul Fitr was celebrated across the world by 1.6 billion Muslims including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh,Iran, Afghanistan,Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan with great religious fervour and festivity.
The day dawned with special prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of the country at Masajid. Eid is an Arabic term meaning "festivity" or "celebration" while Fitr means "to break the fast".
It falls on the first day of Shawwal Al-Mukarram, following the fasting month of Ramazan. Eid is celebrated for a period of three days. It is a joyous occasion for all Muslims, particularly children. It is a time for spreading peace, sharing with others and giving thanks for completing another period of fasting for the month of Ramazan.
Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting, but also thank God for the help and strength that He gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. On the occasion, the faithful wear clean, neat clothes and offer Eid prayers at mosques, `Eidgahs'' and open places across the country - seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.
Following the Eid prayers, Muslims spend their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate. Sweets and other special dishes would be prepared for serving the guests. People will also exchange gifts on the occasion.
Special prayers are offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the `Ummah'', solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir.
In Islamabad, the biggest congregation was held at the grand Faisal Mosque, where the high-ups of the government are likely to offer Eid prayers. In Rawalpindi, the biggest Eid congregation was held at the historic Liaquat Bagh.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk greeted nation on the occasion of Eidul Fitr being celebrated across Pakistan. In their messages both asked the people to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of motherland and follow the teachings of Islam in the true sense in reducing injustices in the society, promote the qualities of purity, self control, compassion and sacrifice.
In his message, President Mamnoon Hussain has said that following the teachings of Islam in true sense can help reduce injustices in the society. President Mamnoon said going through the spiritual experiences during the blessed month, gives a realization about the difficulties of weaker segments of society. He said this creates a sense of sympathy for such people and encourages assistance for them with open hearts and minds. He said Eid is also the time to include the have-nots in the joy by providing them financial assistance through Zakat, Fitrana and Sadqa.
He said Eidul Fitr is a day of gratitude and bliss and extended heartiest felicitations to the Pakistani nation and the Muslims across the world. He prayed that may Allah Almighty accept the prayers offered during the blessed month of Ramazan and make the homeland a haven of peace and prosperity. Mamnoon said Ramazanul Mubarak is a month of self-training and preparation to develop one’s life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. These blessed days focus on the restraint of the self and making it relevant with all matters of life, including those which would be very significant in next few months.
He pointed out that the environment of election campaign sometimes developed a sense of competition among the people who either individually or collectively fall prey to several mistakes which are against the spirit of prayers. This creates animosity and bitterness among them, he added He urged upon the political workers, stakeholders and the nation to extend the spirit of Ramazan to rest of their lives. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bring peace in the country and always shower His blessings on it.
Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk, in his message to the nation, has observed that the joyous occasion of Eidul Fitr heralds completion of Ramazanul Mubarak which further promotes the qualities of purity, self control, compassion and sacrifice.
In a message on the occasion of Eidul Fitr being celebrated on Saturday, he said for the worldly and religious accomplishments,
In this way, the practical picture of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony should be presented. On this day, he said, the nation should also remember its sons who had sacrificed their lives against all the internal and external threats, safeguarding the motherland.
Ramadan ended on 15 June this year in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India ,and on June 14 in rest of the world prompting celebrations as the 1.6 billion Muslims across the world mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr.
Translated from Arabic as “the feast of the breaking of the fast”, the festival will begin as the moon rises on Thursday evening and can continue for up to three days.
Muslims observe a number of traditions during Eid, such as holding prayers and donating money to charity which is called "Fitrana".
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid a-Fitr is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month during which Muslims fast during daylight hours and refrain from sexual activity, among other things.
Ramadan, considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, lasts between 29 and 30 days, based on when a new moon is sighted by local religious authorities. The sighting means Eid can begin.
The holiday, considered one of the most important in the Islamic faith, has its own particular set of prayers, which Muslims will recite in congregation often in parks, community centres or at mosques.
The exact dates of Ramadan and, in turn, Eid, vary from one year to another on the Gregorian calendar.
This year, Eid-al-Fitr is on 15 June, as the sighting of the crescent moon was on the evening of 14 June.
The festival is a day when Muslims thank Allah for strength and blessings, hoping Ramadan has brought them closer to god. It was first celebrated by Muhammad in 624CE following a victory in battle.
How is Eid-al Fitr celebrated?
A wide variety of practices take place during Eid, the first of which is a special set of prayers saved only for the occasion, known as Salat al-Eid.
Muslims will generally gather at mosque or in open-air locations to carry out prayers on the first morning of the festival before sitting down with family and friends for breakfast, their first daylight meal in a month.
Gatherings will take place in public areas across the UK to celebrate Eid, including in Trafalgar Square in central London, while up to 150,000 are expected to celebrate in Birmingham’s Small Heath Park.Another important Eid tradition is the Sadqa al-Fitr – charity given to the poor at the end of Ramadan.
The donation is aimed at providing the needy with enough so they too can join in the feast and celebrate the breaking of the fast, but can be donated to help the poor or the needy in general.
During Ramadan 2016, British Muslims were estimated by the Charity Commission to have given £371 each to charity on average.
Eid al-Fitr should not be confused with Eid al-Adha, the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest of all Muslim holidays, when Muslims from around the world will travel to Mecca for pilgrimage.People in different parts of the world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr Friday after the Shawwal moon was sighted a day earlier.
The day in holy cities of Saudi Arabia, Makkah and Madina, started with Eid namaz being offered at the Grand Mosque and Masjid-e-Nabwi, where a large number of people were present in the congregations.
Other than Saudi Arabia, Eid was celebrated in United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The festivities will also begin as the day starts in France, Belgium, Germany and United States.
In a message issued on the festive occasion, King Salman wished Muslims of the world and prayed for their prosperity.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May also issued wishes on the occasion, commending the services of Muslims in UK. She stated that the services of three million Muslims in UK cannot be overlooked.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also issued messages with Eid wishes.
Pakistan will celebrate Eid tomorrow (Saturday) as the Shawal moon was not sighted a day earlier
