Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim holiday that marks the conclusion of the month of Ramadan and translates exactly to “holiday of breaking the fast.” It is a three-day holiday starting this year from April 21 or 22, depending on the observation of the new month’s crescent. It is a joyful holiday where people start having meals during the day again, buy new clothes, prepare child-friendly activities, and travel.
Food
After a long month of fasting, Saudis miss the meals they usually have during the day like breakfast and lunch. Therefore, families will choose one of the two meals to focus on for the first day of Eid al-Fitr. After the morning Eid prayer, families usually gather at the house of an older family member to have these meals. If breakfast is their tradition, a Saudi family will make a large breakfast feast for the whole family to gather and enjoy. If lunch is their tradition, a Saudi family will have a lamb and rice dish called “muftah” for an early lunch meal. After the heavy morning meals, family members will take a long nap to then wake up, get dressed, and continue the celebrations at night. For dessert, the most famous Eid sweet is “ma’amoul.” Ma’amoul is a Middle Eastern cookie made with semolina flour, stuffed with either dates or nuts and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Women of the family will typically gather on the last few days of Ramadan to prepare the Eid ma’amoul.
Ma’amoul. Source: Emirates Daily.
Clothes
Saudi men, women, and children typically buy new clothes for the three days of Eid. Men buy new thobes and shemagh, women buy elegant dresses and outfits, and children buy new colorful outfits. In order to truly feel the spirit of Eid, every piece of the outfit must be new, especially for the children. During Ramadan nights, particularly during the last ten days, shopping malls will be filled with people getting their last-minute shopping done.
Saudi children in special garb for Eid. Source: Saudi Press Agency.
Children
Although Eid celebrations are for everyone, children have their own specific activities. First, parents will hide the childrens’ new outfits from them until the morning of Eid. The children wake up and find their entire outfit spread out next to them on the bed. This surprise happens for all three days of Eid and the children try to guess the colors of their outfits until they finally see it. Second, the children may go on special trips to the amusement park. Last, the children might get a lot of money from older family members and adults in the form of a gift called “Eidiya.” Eidiya is any amount of money given to children on Eid to spend as they like.
Source: Saudi Press Agency.
Travel
After a long month of worship and fasting, many Saudis will seize the opportunity of the national holiday and decide to travel, most often from the cities to visit their villages to celebrate with their extended family.
Greetings
During Eid, one can greet others by saying, “Eid Mubarak” or “Eid Sa’eed,” which translates to “blessed Eid,” or “happy Eid,” and the response would be “‘alina wa ‘alik,” which translates to “for us and for you.” Another common greeting especially in the Gulf region is “‘asakom min ‘aowadah,” which translates to “may you relive these days in good health,” and the response would be “ameen, wayak” which translates to “amen, and you as well.”
