Festival breaks the fast

Muslims in the Valley and around the globe are celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr, or the Festival of Fast-Breaking, which began Friday.

Eid Ul-Fitr is a holiday that marks the end of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, Ramadan, the month of fasting.

The Eid is a joyful holiday that is celebrated for three days. Muslims start the day early with the congregational Eid prayer at the mosque. They thank God for enabling them to observe the month of Ramadan with fasting, increased prayers and increased God-consciousness.

They also gave Zakat-ul Fitr, the prescribed amount of money that is obligatory on every Muslim, before the end of Ramadan. It is calculated as equivalent to feeding a poor person in one’s region for one day, which helps the less fortunate to celebrate and enjoy the Eid as well.

After the prayers, Muslims spend the day visiting their families, friends, neighbors, the sick and elderly and enjoy the festive meals and sweets.

Families also exchange gifts modestly, with special attention to children.

The greeting on Eid day is “Eid Mubarak” or “Happy Eid.”

Randa Shabayek is a member of the Masjid Al-Kheir mosque in Youngstown.