Eid al-Fitrዒድ አል ፈጥር

The end of Ramadan

Through Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink and devoting themselves to prayer and reflection. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the completion of that month of discipline and the blessings it brings, and cannot begin until the fast is over.

Before the Eid prayer, families give Zakat al-Fitr — a charitable donation of food or its value — so that everyone, including the poor, can share in the celebration.

How Eid al-Fitr is celebrated

The day begins with the special Eid prayer, performed in congregation at mosques and large open grounds, often drawing enormous crowds in Addis Ababa and towns across the country. Worshippers wear their finest, often new, clothes.

After the prayer, families visit one another, share festive meals and sweets, and exchange gifts. Children are a particular focus of the day's generosity and joy.

How to greet someone at Eid

The universal greeting is “Eid Mubarak” — “Blessed Eid.” Sharing a card is a warm way to send Eid wishes to family and friends near and far.