What you need to know about Eid El-Fitr, the « little party » of Muslims-Liberation

For Muslims in France and the world, the end of Ramadan is approaching. It is soon the end of the sacred month with The religious holiday of Eid El-Fitrthe « breakdown of rupture ». Date, celebrations, ceremonial, symbolic … Liberty looked at this religious holiday, which arrives a little earlier.

Ramadan started this year on February 28. It must end 29 or 30 days later, depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. His breakup is celebrated by Eid El-Fitr. This celebration also symbolizes the first day of the tenth month of this calendar (the month of Chawwal) during which the most pious Muslims practice six days of additional fast. In France, The French Council for Muslim worship (CFCM)which is based on astronomical data, announced on March 24 on X Having stopped the date of Eid El-Fitr on Sunday, March 30.

Because knowing the first day of the Chawwal is nothing of an exact science. In the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad explains that the observation of the new moons is the only way to fix the dates of important religious events. In a hadith (an oral commentary on the prophet), he would also have added that the observation of a new moon district is necessary to determine the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadan: « Fast when you see the croissant (…) and break your fast at the sight of the croissant. » This observation is made during the « Night of doubt » which takes place this year this Saturday, March 29. According to another hadithif at least two Muslim witnesses see the new croissant, fasting can be broken.

This original method therefore varies the date of the party according to the geographic position of the observer. This led the CFCM to adopt modern and more precise measures of measures.

For Muslims, Eid El-Fitr is above all a feast of sharing and solidarity, especially towards the poor. In this perspective, the faithful must, upstream of the rupture of his fasting, pay an alms – The « Zakat al-Fitr » – which should allow the most disadvantaged not to have to beg to prepare their meal. The amount of this donation varies according to the religious authorities and the socio-economic context. The CFCM set it this year at 9 euros this year. She « Must be paid to people in need, regardless of religion »specifies the CFCM.

Who says religious event says … prayer. Called the « Salat al-eid », it must be collective, and take place at the beginning of the morning in a mosque or outdoors in a dedicated space, the « Musalla ». The break in fasting then takes place, with family or friends. Eid, which can be translated as « party » as by « festival » is not limited to Muslims only. The wishes can be exchanged with non-believers or children. The food is opulent, between pancakes filled with almonds, with pistachios (real or false) or nuts. In Türkiye, the « Fête du Ramadan » is also nicknamed « şeker Bayramı », ie … « Sugar Day ». In the Maghreb, there are fried donuts with honey or syrup, and in the Middle East, cream of milk.

If it is nicknamed the « little party » of Muslims, it is because Eid El-Fitr is distinguished from the « Big Day », Eid El-Kebir, also called Eid Al-Adha, the « Festival of Sacrifice ». It will be held on Thursday, June 5. It celebrates the end of the « hajj », the pilgrimage of several million Muslims in Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. There is a wide variety of meat dishes, mainly sheep, revisited in a multitude of ways.

Eid el-Kebir commemorates a common religious episode between the Bible and the Koran. The moment when Ibrahim – Abraham in the Christian tradition –accepts to sacrifice his Son on the orders of God. Stoping his gesture through the Archangel Jibrīl – Gabriel –God substitutes a sheep with the son. For part of the Muslims, the sacrifice of this animal during Eid El-Kebir symbolizes the homage to the faith of Ibrahim. The practice of sheep sacrifice is not imposed by the sacred texts, it can be replaced by a fast or a gift to the poor. It has been subject to controversy in France for many years, notably from the right, the far right and part of the animal protection associations.