How Africa
Egypt
Eid el-Fitr in Egypt is a major festival that brings the individuals who have been fasting all through the time of Ramadan together in the boulevards to ask, eat, sing, and move. It is a 3-day devour and an official occasion.
Family visits are considered as a need amid the main day of Eid, where desserts and spiced scones called kahk are typically advertised. A unique philanthropy called Sadaqah al-Fitr (or Sadaka) is paid by each Muslim before the finish of Ramadan. The Sadaka is then given to poor people to have the capacity to purchase new garments and kahk amid the devour.
Other than getting a charge out of celebrations in the roads, Egyptians additionally invest the energy at parks, theaters and at shorelines like Sharm El Sheik, a resort town between the Desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea
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Morocco
Eid is a three-day celebration in Morocco, which commences on the first day of Shawwal after the fasting period of Ramadan. Just before the festivities take place, families also undertake Sadaqah al-Fitr to give, to the poor. Offerings include foodstuffs like rice, barley, and dates.
Nigeria
Eid in Nigeria is a two-day celebration which follows after Ramadan. Eid is known as ‘small sallah’ by Nigerian Muslims, and on the first day, Muslims go to mosque for prayer dressed in their new clothes, followed by festivities in the form of sharing meals with family. Children receive gifts from family members and neighbours, and dishes eaten include meat and starches such as rice and amala. Schools close for the duration of Eid celebrations, and along with sharing meals with family and gift-giving to children, the elders of communities organize parties as part of the festivities.
Senegal
Senegalese Muslims celebrate both Eid al-Fitr, which takes place after Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated 70 days after Ramadan. Eid al-Adha is the bigger celebration in the West African country, known locally as Tabaski.
The Tabaski Festival is not only a massive celebration that brings together families and communities, but it is also a symbol of faith and devotion, as it is based on the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God to offer his son, Ishmael, as a sacrifice, and upon being ready to do so, a ram was provided by God as a replacement. Every household has a sheep to slaughter to mark Tabaski, and the government assists with giving those who can’t afford to buy a sheep through the programme ‘Operation Tabaski.’
Kenya
After the local mosque recites the Takbeer to declare the end of Ramadan and the commencement of Eid the next day, the women of the household begin with food preparation and spring cleaning, while the men do home maintenance to prepare for a new season, which is also symbolic of Eid.
The day starts early with prayers in a public place, followed by breakfast with family. Afterwards, children in the neighbourhood, dressed in their new clothes, go to different homes chanting ‘Eid Mubarak,’ the traditional greeting meaning ‘blessed celebration’to receive gifts from the elders. A festival at the Makadara Grounds takes place throughout Eid. The Grounds turn into an amusement park for children to enjoy themselves.
South Africa
Eid celebrations across South Africa vary from family to family and from city to city. Usually when Eid commences, men go to mosque for prayer, and afterwards, the family gathers for breakfast. Socializing and gift-giving to children commences after breakfast, and everyone is dressed in their best clothes as part of the celebration. As is the custom with Eid celebrations, good and hearty food is in abundance. “Celebratory dishes include biryani, seafood paella, roast leg of lamb and grilled seafoods,” Aneeqah Emeran says, of typical dishes found in Cape Town homes for Eid. “These are the dishes that families tend to gravitate towards,” she adds. Eid celebrations last a day.
