Eid marks the end of the month of Ramadan
Families across the world will soon gather to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan as the dawn of the new moon approaches. Eid al-Fitr is a special occasion for Muslims and is a time to spend with loved ones.
Eid marks the end of the month of Ramadan, a period of month-long fasting for Muslims around the world, and the start of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. This year, Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on either Thursday March 19 or Friday March 20 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.
During celebrations, it is common for people to say 'Eid Mubarak' to each other as they exchange gifts, hugs or greetings. While it will predominantly be used among the Muslim community, even non-Muslims can say the phrase during festivities.
To wish someone a happy Eid, you can say "Eid Mubarak" , which means "have a blessed Eid". You can also say "Eid Saeed", meaning "Happy Eid". Eid is pronounced "eed," as in the word "seed." Mubarak is pronounced "Moo-ba-rack" with special emphasis on "-barack."
If someone says "Eid Mubarak" to you first, then you can simply repeat the phrase back to them. There are also other options such as saying, "Happy Eid," "May Allah bless you," or "God bless you". You can also say, "Khair Mubarak", which is wishing goodwill on the person who greeted you.
In English, Eid translates to 'celebration' while Mubarak means blessed - making Eid Mubarak mean 'blessed celebration'. However, conversationally the phrase means "have a blessed holiday" or "Happy Eid".
Other greetings you may hear are:
- Eid Mubarak lakum wa-li-'a'ilatakum - Blessed Eid to you and your family
- Litanzil 'alaykum barakat Allah fi Eid al-Fitr hatha - May God's blessings be showered on you on this Eid al-Fitr
- Kul 'am wa-antum bi-khayr. Eid Mubarak - May you celebrate this every year. Blessed Eid
Eid typically starts with a morning prayer at a mosque and then is celebrated with family and friends. It is a time filled with prayer, food, and gift-giving. It is also an opportunity for self-reflection, forgiveness, and peaceful contemplation, as well as remembering loved ones who have passed away.
By this time, many Muslims are expected to have made their end-of-Ramadan donation to charity, known as Zakat-ul-Fitr or Fitrana, which helps to feed the poor. Muslims are encouraged to do many things when celebrating Eid, such as prayer in congregation with their fellow Muslim community to thank Allah.
This is a day that all are encouraged to perform a ritual ablution, wear their best clothes, smell good, and gather together in community to bring in the celebration. Muslims in the UK often rely on following other countries to know when the new crescent moon is sighted, as in the UK there is no established framework for moon sighting.
