Eid Mubarak !

Ramadan, the holy month of the Muslim calendar ended, giving way to Eid al-fitr, the end of the month of fasting. Muslim from all over the world celebrate Eid-al-Fitr, after one month of deprivation and abstinence from sunrise to sunset in order to purify the body and the mind.

• Why the date is changing each year?

The Muslim calender is composed by 12 lunar cycles (*holy monthes):

1. Mouharram al Harâm *

2. Safar al Khayr

3. Rabi' al Awwal

4. Rabi' al Akhîr

5. Joumada al Awwal

6. Joumada al Akhir

7. Rajab *

8. Sha'bâne

9. Ramadân

10. Shawwâl

11. Dhoul Qi'dah *

12. Dhoul Hidjah *

On the 29th day of the month of Ramadan, Muslim observe the sky during ‘the night of doubt’ to locate the crescent moon. If it is observed, Eid is fixed the next day. If it does not appear, the lunar month of Ramadan lasts 30 days and the end of the month of fasting will be shifted by one day.

Observing the moon in Wahiba Sands desert

• What are Muslim celebrating?

Muslim celebrate the breaking of the fast observed during the holy month of Ramadan. The day of celebration is marked by a prayer at the mosque and exchange of greetings, sweets and small gifts. Traditionally, believers wear new clothes, offer themselves gifts and give zakat el-Fitr to feed the poor.

• What is the difference with Eid al-Kebir ?

Eid al-Fitr, the feast of rupture, is also called Eid al-Seghir (little feast), as opposed to the Eid al-Kebir (great holiday) also called Eid al- Adha. Eid al Kebir is a commemoration of the sacrifice recounted in the Coran and the Old Testament. While Abraham was going to kill his son to obey God, an angel replaces the body of the child by a ram. In memory, Muslims perform a ritual slaughter of sheep, this practice is not carred out for the Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. The prayer prounonced and the formula Eid Mubarak are the same for both celebrations.

• How do we celebrate Eid el Fitr in Oman ?

Every part of Oman celebrate Eid Al Fitr by cooking traditional meals :

- Al majeen (Dhofar) : strips of meatdried in the sun for a day or more

- Mishkak (North Al batinah, Adh Dhahirah) : grilled pieces of marinated chicken, mutton or beef on long wooden sticks

- Mqalaiy (North Al batinah) : grilled pieces of camel meat

- Shuwa (North Al batinah) : placing the mutton or beef into a hole on the first day after Dhuhr or Asr prayers, as the meat needs one-to-two days to cook.

- Halwa (sweets) & Omani coffee (everywhere)

- Arseia mixed with meat (Al Sharqiyah South) : rice and meat with buharat (spices)

Sour is well known for its traditional Eid dance performance and in Musandam there’s no special meal for Eid but sweets, rice and grape offered to the guests

Sources :

http://beta.timesofoman.com/article/136466/Oman/Here-is-how-Oman-celebrates-Eid-Al-Fitr