Eid is near

Cape Town brothers Mus’ab Majiet, 9, and Abdullah, 7, try on their Eid outfits ahead of the breaking of the Muslim fast month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world are today preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important holidays of the religion. The Eid holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

The day of Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.

The feasting at the Eid celebrations is marked by dining on rich, meaty delicacies. The food is also distributed and served among friends, family and to the needy as a gesture of sharing and partaking in happiness and good luck. Moreover, Bakra Eid, which symbolises the spirit of sacrifice, revolves heavily around meat, so Eid al-Fitr is dedicated to the celebration of traditional desserts.