Kenya holidays-Id al fitr

 

Eid ul-Fitr or Id-ul-Fitr often abbreviated to Eid. Is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fi?r means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah"); the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period.

It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. Muslims are commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘?d mub?rak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘?d sa‘?d ("Happy Eid"). However, many countries have their own greetings based on local language and traditions.

Eid al-Fitr has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community. The Islamic tradition also associates events with the occasion.

Typically, Muslims wake up early in the morning and have a small breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day) of preferably the date fruit, before attending a special Eid prayer (salah) that is performed in congregation at mosques or open areas like fields, squares etc.

The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua') asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for all living beings across the world. After the prayers, people also visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances and some people also pay visits to the graveyards. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan can be at any time in the Christian calendar. During Ramadan they eat their early morning meal called Suhur, which consists of bread with mutton or pancakes.

 

Camping in Kenya Mount Kenya Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania safaris African safari