Almost everything you need to know about Eid

As we draw closer to Eid—which is set to begin this weekend, depending on the moon sighting—you might be wondering about the religious significance of the day and Ramadan, the time leading up to it. So, let’s take a step back to learn more about the Islamic holiday.

Ramadan is a celebration of when the prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran in a revelation, and is observed by an estimated 1.9 billion people every year. To commemorate the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims typically fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from eating or drinking anything, including water or medicine. This has become one of the pillars of Islam and is often paired with zakat, or the Islamic obligation to make charitable donations.

In addition to physical fasting, Ramadan is an opportunity to self-reflect and not only abstain from food, but also gossiping, swearing, and lying. It’s also a good time to practice more patience. The goal is to feel even more connected to God, often through prayer, increased charity and generosity, and study of the Quran. Some Muslims eat a meal before dawn, also called suhoor, and break their fast at sunset during the meal of iftar, which is usually followed by prayer. It’s also worth noting that people who are menstruating, sick, pregnant, nursing, traveling, or elderly are exempt from fasting. Those who fall under these categories will often make up their fasting days later in the year, or choose to feed others for each day of fasting they miss.

The dates for Ramadan shift from year to year since it is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar—which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar that is widely used today. As a result, Ramadan typically takes place 11 days earlier each year. This year, it began on Feb. 28.

With about a quarter of the world’s population observing Ramadan every year, more and more of the global west is acknowledging the holy month and accommodating those who are fasting. Notably, we have seen Muslim professional athletes fasting if Ramadan overlaps with their sports seasons, with some games or matches even pausing to let athletes break their fast. In addition, some businesses and cafes in communities with large Muslim populations will offer late night or extended hours during Ramadan.

Ramadan culminates in Eid-al-Fitr, which translates to “festival of the breaking of the fast,” a celebration usually marked by the official sighting of the new moon. This is often celebrated by buying new clothes, going to the mosque for prayer, and celebrating in community of family and loved ones.

As Eid approaches, I encourage you to celebrate with your friends, colleagues, and community. I like to send cards from a Muslim-owned small business, try a new dish with dates—which the prophet Muhammad used to break his fast—and find ways to gather intentionally. If you want to support your Muslim friends, co-workers, and loved ones, here are a few things you can do:

• Educate yourself about Islam and Ramadan: I invite you to do your own research about fasting, and even mark Ramadan and Eid on your calendar. Your Muslim friends and colleagues will thank you, and bonus points if you wish them “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Eid Mubarak.”
• Remind the leaders in your organization of how they can support Muslim employees: It’s always appreciated when leaders in your organization remember the dates of Ramadan and acknowledge it during organization-wide events—especially if they are also able to offer flexibility with early or late meetings if needed. Some companies or organizations may elect to host iftar celebrations or offer the option of taking food served in the office to go, so it can be enjoyed later.
• Ask your Muslim friends and colleagues what they need: Some Muslims like to lay low during Ramadan and won’t spend much time socializing, but others love to spend their time out with friends or doing activities that distract them from their fast. Many of us don’t mind when people eat in front of us, even when we’re fasting, but it doesn’t hurt to ask what people in your community prefer.