Eid ul-Fitr 2021: Date, Significance, Celebrations; Why India Celebrates Eid A Day After Middle East

Ramadan, Ramzan or Ramazan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar & this month-long fasting period is observed by Muslims all around the world. As the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the beginning & end of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the new moon. The month-long fasting period culminates with the sighting of the new moon for the Islamic calendar month of Shawaal. Ramadan's end is marked by the celebration of Eid, Eid al-Fitr or Eid ul-Fitr upon the sighting of this new crescent moon. Eid ul-Fitr is also called the “Festival of breaking fast” & like for Ramadan, this is also observed in Saudi Arabia first, as Saudi is not only home to the holiest site for Muslim - Mecca, but also because the moon is always sighted there first. Eid ul-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Thursday (May 13) in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries as the moon was not sighted on May 11. In India, Eid will be celebrated on May 14. Eid this year will be low-key like it was last year on account of the coronavirus pandemic. Muslims across the globe perform the Eid prayer in the morning at a congregational mosque, which this year due to Covid-19 restrictions will be performed at home by many families.