Muslims across the world are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which is marked by congregational prayers and festivities. Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan. It means the feast of breaking the fast. It is expected to start this year on April 10.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated differently in various parts of the world, where cultures and traditions combine to create unique scenes of celebration. In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Fitr celebrations feature sweets, chocolates, gifts and new clothes, as Saudis revive old traditions, strengthen family bonds, and reunite with friends.
Eid Preparations
During the final days of Ramadan, shopping malls get crowded with shoppers who buy new outfits, gifts, sweets and decorations to celebrate Eid.
Families start cleaning and decorating their homes, in preparation for Eid visits by relatives and friends. They receive visitors with sweets and Arabic coffee.
Eid’s Eve
On Eid’s eve, many people prepare new prayer clothes and perfume them with musk and oud. Men go to the barber shop to have a new shave, while women rush to beauty salons to get a new hairstyle or nail art for Eid.
Several houses across the Kingdom play the famous song “Ya Leilet Al Eid” by Umm Kalthoum, which can be heard in various households throughout the Arab region.
Eid Rituals
After Fajr prayers, many people from all ages flow to mosques to join Eid prayers, which usually start at 5 am.
After prayers, people greet each other, wishing each other “Eid Mubarak”, which means happy Eid. Children, wearing new clothes, happily receive sums of money called ‘eidiya’ and share sweets and toys.
Upon returning home, families gather at the grandfather or eldest brother’s house to have Eid breakfast, called ‘Fotoor al-Eid’, featuring delicious Saudi dishes, such as ‘Arika’, ‘Mabthouth’, and ‘Masoob’.
In Mecca and the western regions of the Kingdom, breakfast includes different types of cheese, olives and bread, in addition to sweet dishes such as ‘Debyaza’ and ‘Nady’.
Traditional Dishes
After breakfast, families continue to receive visitors until noon, when they have a rest until lunch.
One of the signature dishes for Eid launch in Mecca is okra and meat, while Riyadh and Najd are famous with ‘Jarish’, and ‘Marqoq’. In the Kingdom’s eastern regions, women cook rice and meat during the days of Eid al-Fitr.
After lunch, visits continue. People receive visitors with juice, Arabic coffee, plates of chocolate, ‘Maamoul’ and ‘Kleicha’ pastries, and other desserts.
In the southern regions of the Kingdom, people serve coffee and tea with ‘Arika’, ‘Asida’, and ‘Mabthouth’. In Mecca, they serve ‘Konafa’, ‘Basbousa’, ‘Turumba’ and ‘Zalabiyeh’.
In Riyadh and Najd, they serve ‘Hininy’. In the eastern regions, they serve ‘Khanfaroosh’, and ‘Sagoo’.
Family Gatherings
In the evening, families gather in a festive atmosphere, including music, games and more ‘eidiya’, before having dinner. Eid dinner is usually made of rice and meat.
Although family gatherings are popular in Saudi Arabia during Eid, it is common to have lunch or dinner at restaurants and cafes and celebrate Eid outside home.
The Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has unveiled Eid al-Fitr Events Booklet 2024, featuring fireworks shows, music concerts, theatrical performances and a wide range of other activities throughout the Kingdom.
Students and teachers in Saudi Arabia have started their Eid al-Fitr vacation on March 28 which will last until April 15, 2024, whereas employees will have a 4-day vacation in April for Eid.
