Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr 2022 in Riyadh this year? Eid Al-Fitr is the holiday right after Ramadan. If you’re wondering about this special time of year, here’s everything to know about Eid Al-Fitr 2022 in Saudi Arabia.
Ei Al-Fitr the earlier of the two official holidays in Islam. The second one is Eid Al-Adha. Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims, and Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting.
Eid Al-Fitr 2022 is expected to fall on Sunday May 1, though that will be confirmed by the sighting of the crescent (hilal) the night before.
The exact date is determined by the moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia. This is a group of astronomers and Muslim advisors who gather together to look for the new crescent moon. When the moon is sighted using advanced equipment, Eid Al-Fitr begins the next day.
What is Eid Al-Fitr?
Eid Al-Fitr is one of the two festivals Muslims have each year. The name itself translates to Feast of Breaking the Fast. It falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar ,but is not necessarily the same day on the Gregorian calendar.
Eid Al-Fitr has a particular prayer that consists of two rakats (units), it may only be performed in congregation and also has six takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying “Allāhu ʾAkbar”, meaning “God is the greatest”).
Eid Al-Fitr is usually celebrated for one to three days depending on the country. Fasting on Eid is forbidden, and Zakat-al-Fitr (an obligatory charity paid to the poor) given before the Eid prayer begins.
No Adhan (call to prayer) is given before the Eid prayer, and after the two rakats, a sermon is delivered followed by a dua (supplication).
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What is Zakat-al-Fitr?
Charity is a very important part of Islam and is even more significant during Eid Al-Fitr. Zakat-al-Fitr becomes mandatory at sunset on the last day of Ramadan and remains so until the beginning of Eid prayer.
What is Eid Al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is the second celebration of the year and translates as the “festival of sacrifice”. And that’s just what it is as, traditionally during this time, animals like sheep and goats are slaughtered. It’s approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan and marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (another pillar of Islam).
Are there changes for Eid Al-Fitr 2022 in Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19?
The Kingdom recently announced the lifting of many COVID restrictions in March 2022 which will impact Ramadan and Eid in Saudi Arabia. As per the most recent update, physical distancing rules no longer apply. The latest Saudi COVID-19 restriction lift included “suspending the application of social distancing measures in all open and closed places, activities, and events”. There will be no social distancing measures in the Grand Holy Mosque, the Prophet’s Holy Mosque and mosques, but masks must still be worn, according to the announcement.
How do you celebrate Eid Al-Fitr?
During the Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak”, which is Arabic for “Blessed Eid”. As it arrives after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and enjoyed during the celebration. Houses are usually decorated with lights, banners, and more.
It’s a tradition to wear new clothes and on the way to the mosque for the Eid Prayer, eat something sweet such as a date, and recite the takbir throughout the morning.
What are the public holidays for Eid Al-Fitr 2022?
The public holiday begins early on Monday April 25 and ends on Thursday May 5. This includes schools, government facilities, and universities.
What are the private sector holidays?
The private sector holiday for Eid Al-Fitr 2022 begins on Sunday May 1 and ends on Thursday May 5.
