Eid ul-Fitr means the occasion of breaking the fast. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)Eid-ul-Fitr 2021 Highlights: Celebrated by the Muslim community across the world, Eid marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. The religious festival is celebrated in the month of Shawwal. This year, it will begin on the evening of May 13 and will continue until the evening of May 14.
Much like the beginning of the fasting period, its end also depends on the sighting of the moon. People begin to look forward to the exact date and time when the cosmic body would appear in the night sky. The crescent moon is first seen in Saudi Arabia, and it is only after that the rest of the world celebrates the festival. The date of Eid, hence, differs from country to country.
The Jeddah Astronomical Association has reportedly predicted the moon sighting date for the Shawwal month in Saudi Arabia will be May 12, a Wednesday. If that is the case, Eid-ul-Fitr will be on May 13, a Thursday, and if not, it will come a day later.
Happy Eid-ul-Fitr 2021: Eid Mubarak wishes, images, quotes, status, messages, photos, and greetings
Islamic months last between 29 and 30 days. It depends on the sighting of the new moon on the 29th night of every month, following which, a new month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.
While the festival is celebrated by meeting loved ones and enjoying lavish feasts, the celebrations this year will be different owing to the pandemic.
Eid marks the end of Ramzan. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
The actor took to social media to wish "Eid Mubarak" to everyone.
Following COVI-19 precautions, many offered namaz at their homes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr
Dr Harsh Vardhan wished "good health, peace and prosperity for everyone" on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. "May the almighty bless us with fortitude & tenacity to overcome all challenges posed by this #pandemic & end it at the earliest," he wrote.
With a 'partial curfew' in force, people offer namaz at the masjid on the holy occasion.
Actor Bhumi Pednekar took to Twitter to greet her fans while sharing how she misses receiving Eidi on this day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted people on Eid-ul-Fitr, and expressed the wish that the nation overcomes the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards furthering human welfare with collective efforts.
Amid the shadow of the second wave of the disease, Eid is being observed across the country.
Modi tweeted, "Best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Praying for everyone's good health and well-being. Powered by our collective efforts, may we overcome the global pandemic and work towards furthering human welfare. Eid Mubarak!" (PTI)
Actor Madhavan took to Twitter to wish everyone!
Actor Anil Kapoor took to Twitter to wish all
Eid Mubarak to one and all! See pics here
Tens of thousands of people left Bangladesh's capital on Thursday to join their families in home villages to celebrate the Islamic religious festival of Eid al-Fitr, despite stark warnings that the exodus could worsen the country's sharply rising coronavirus outbreak.
People crowded exit points in Dhaka, defying a nationwide lockdown in effect until Sunday and a suspension of long-distance passenger buses, trains and ferries. Authorities urged citizens not to congregate to offer special prayers for the festival on Friday and instead pray in phases in the country's more than 300,000 mosques while following health guidelines.
Health officials fear the chaotic mass travel will spread the coronavirus, especially a potentially more dangerous Indian variant already detected in the crowded nation of 160 million people, and reverse a recent hard-won decline in cases following weeks of nationwide lockdown. Barricades and police posted on highways and at ferry terminals failed to stop the exodus on Thursday marking the end of the monthlong fasting month of Ramadan.
Many people walked or took risky rides in the back of produce trucks or small motorized vehicles to get to local ferry terminals to cross the mighty rivers. At least five people have died in stampedes since Wednesday when people packed ferries beyond their capacity. On Thursday, the body of a sixth person was retrieved from the water after a car fell into a river as it hurried to get a space on a ferry. Shila Akhter, an employee at a private company, said she was desperate to join her family.
As Muslims, we should celebrate Eid with our families, she said. Dhaka is the place of work for many of us. We work for the whole year. So, once a year, we need to go home to our children and parents. They're the reason I'm going home. The country's garment industry, centred in Dhaka, employs about 4 million workers, mostly women, from rural areas.
On Monday, the World Health Organization designated a new virus version isolated in India a variant of concern based on preliminary research, alongside ones that were first detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil. In Bangladesh, the South African variant is already widely present and the U.K. variant has also been detected.
Viruses mutate constantly, and a surge in infections in a country could result in more opportunities for new versions to emerge. No matter what variant is here, the issue is whether our people are wearing masks and avoiding crowds, said S.M. Alamgir, a senior scientific officer at the government's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research.
Risks are there to spread the virus because of the holiday rush, he said. The country suspended the administration of second doses of vaccine for three days as the holidays began Thursday, but it will still have to skip about 1.4 million people because of a vaccine shortage.
The crisis began when India banned exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India because of its own devastating surge in infections.
Bangladesh has received only about 7 million doses from the Serum Institute despite a deal for it to supply 30 million doses by June. Bangladesh was forced to suspend administering the first doses of vaccine on April 30. On Wednesday, China sent 500,000 doses of its Sinopharm vaccine to help Bangladesh cope with the shortage.
Bangladesh has also signed a deal with Russia to produce the Sputnik V vaccine locally. Health officials reported 31 deaths and 1,290 new cases on Thursday, for a total of 12,076 deaths and 778,687 confirmed cases since March last year. (AP)
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday greeted citizens on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr and urged all to follow rules and guidelines to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and work for the well-being of society and the country.
In his message, the president said, "The auspicious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is celebrated as an occasion to strengthen the spirit of fraternity and harmony."
Eid-ul-Fitr is also an occasion to rededicate oneself to the service of humanity and to improve the lives of the people in need, the president said. "Let us all resolve to deal with this pandemic of Covid-19 by following all the rules and guidelines and work for the well-being of society and the country," Kovind said.
"On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the fellow citizens, especially to the Muslim brothers and sisters," the president said in his message. (PTI)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Thursday extended her warm greetings to students, teaching and non-teaching staff members of the university on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Saying "better days are on their way", Akhtar in her letter motivated everyone to remain optimistic about the present situation.
"Let us pray together that this Eid fills us with unfailing optimism, positivity and resilience so that we can stand tall and persevere with our crusade to fight the COVID-19 crisis looming large," wrote the professor. "We all know that feeling of intense joy marks the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. But today our country, combating the pandemic, demands this festival be the celebration of a boundless spirit of courage, confidence, generosity and profound compassion," she added.
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc across the national capital, was also behind the demise of several Jamia staff members, alumni, students and their relatives. Akhtar, on the occasion, said her heart goes out to the near and dear ones of those who lost their lives due to COVID-19 and assured them that the university would do everything at their disposal to keep their memories alive and provide all kinds of assistance to their family members. "Each one of them was an integral part of Jamia Biradri, and their irreparable loss can never be fully compensated.
We will do everything at our disposal to keep the memories of the departed souls alive and provide all kinds of assistance to their family members. May God grant the departed souls ranks and stations in heaven! eternal peace, forgiveness and exalted," she said. According to the JMI, more than 20 of its employees, including professors and non-teaching staff members, have lost their lives due to the viral disease. Urging staff members, students and their family members to vaccinate as soon as possible, the 68-year-old professor said she is hopeful "normalcy will return soon" and that they all will "meet again on the campus with its lofty aims and objectives".
"Let us equip ourselves with positivity required for the harmony of mind, body and soul and march ahead keeping abreast of time. I assure you all that the administration will do everything to mitigate the sufferings and facilitate academic pursuits," she added.
Besides a free RT-PCR test camp, the JMI has also organised a free COVID-19 vaccination camp at Dr Ansari Health Centre in collaboration with the District Health Services where two hundred employees of the institute have been vaccinated so far. (PTI)
The delectable recipe will add more joy to your celebrations at home this year. Read more here
On the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, many people are out on the streets near Delhi's Jama Masjid.
Actor Divya Khosla Kumar took to Instagram to wish her fans while urging everyone to stay safe and take care of their loved ones.
The actor asked people to wear masks and stay safe while celebrating Eid.
"United we stand, Divided we fall. Eid Mubarak," the singer wrote on Twitter, along with a song.
The actor took to Twitter to wish his fans as the holy month comes to an end.
See more photos here.
World Health Organisation (WHO) tweeted that people should:
*Avoid large gatherings
*Opt for virtual gatherings
*Use outdoor venues or ensure good ventilation when indoors
*Keep physical distancing
Sania Mirza extended Eid greetings on Twitter. She wrote. "Let's spare a thought for the people suffering, the less fortunate in our prayers today...May Allah ease their pain and heal the world."
The cricketer took to Twitter to extend his heartfelt wishes to his fans.
In Britain, Muslim worshippers got together at Greenwood Park Community Centre in St Albans to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, wearing masks.
Muslims in Kerala on Thursday celebrated Eid al-Fitr -- the festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan -- amid restrictions imposed to check the spread of COVID-19.
Adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, the faithful made it a private and closed-door affair.
Due to the rise in daily number of virus infection in the state, the state government and Muslim scholars had urged the faithful to offer prayers from home.
The government had allowed some relaxations in lockdown for buying food items in view of the Eid.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had appealed to the faithful to follow restrictions and conduct prayers related to the festival at home.
As the moon was not sighted, the top Muslim clerics in Kerala on Tuesday had said Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in the state on May 13--the day the 30-day fasting completed.
Last year also the Muslims celebrated Eid ul-Fitr amid lockdown to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.
The state is under a full lockdown from May 8 to 16 in view of the rising cases in the second wave of COVID-19.
The decision to impose the lockdown was announced after the state started reporting a record number of infections. (PTI)
Dulquer Salmaan shared lovely pictures of his family as he extended his Eid greetings.
Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday across India barring Kerala amid COVID-19 restrictions.
In Kerala, the festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan will be celebrated on Thursday.
Clerics in Delhi including Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari, said the moon was not sighted on Wednesday and hence the festival of Eid will be on May 14.
Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Mukarram Ahmed also announced that the moon was not sighted this evening.
Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee, Imarat-e-Sharaiyah-Hind, after its meeting announced that moon sighting was not reported from Delhi or any other part of the country, its secretary Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi said.
All religious leaders have appealed to the Muslims to adhere to COVID protocols and offer their Eid prayers at home.
Top Muslim clerics in Kerala including Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar and leaders of Samastha Kerala Jamiat-ul-Ulema said Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in the state on Thursday as the 30-day fasting completed on Wednesday.
They had issued a statement on Tuesday saying the moon was not sighted.
Greeting Muslims of the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Eid-ul-Fitr shares the message of humanity, unity and compassion.
"Let it help us to overcome the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Greetings to all of you for observing the month of Ramadan in tune with the Covid induced restrictions," he tweeted. (PTI)
Cricketer Suresh Raina took to Twitter to extend his greetings to all those celebrating Eid. "Sending my warm wishes to you all on this Eid. May this day brings you joy & God shower you & your loved ones with his blessings. #EidMubarak to everyone Crescent moon #StaySafe," he wrote
This dessert is made just like rice pudding (kheer), and with many of the same ingredients, but instead of resulting in a light, creamy pudding, this traditional Muslim pudding is thick and firm. The vermicelli causes it to set quickly and so it is a bit faster to make than rice pudding. This dessert is always served on Meethi Eid, the festival that marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. It was a pudding we got to eat at my father’s colleague, Mr Hassan’s home. Aunty Anjum would make this for Eid and we kids, and my parents, would swoon our way to heaven with each bite of this gorgeous kheer. Their kids, Bushra and Asif, were the same age group as my siblings and I. It was a fun time had by all, those moments when we came together to celebrate Eid and Diwali, as well as other special occasions, showcasing our food traditions with pride, writes Suvir Saran. Check out the recipe here
Cricketer Rishabh Pant wished everyone "Eid Mubarak" while stressing the need to stay indoors amid pandemic. Check out his tweet below:
Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Kashmir were a low-key affair on Thursday as the faithful marked the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan by offering the thanksgiving prayers in small congregations at local mosques by observing social distancing in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
No Eid prayers were offered for the fourth consecutive time at the major mosques and shrines of Kashmir as police enforced a strict curfew in most parts of the valley, including Srinagar city, officials said.
People offered the Eid prayers in small congregations at local mosques, mostly early in the morning, they added.
At many places, the police asked the mosque management committees not to use loudspeakers and to conclude the prayers quickly.
The valley continues to remain under a lockdown in the wake of a surge in the number of coronavirus cases. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed across the valley on Wednesday.
Muslims offer special prayers as a mark of thanksgiving to the almighty at the end of the month-long Ramzan fasting.
This is the fourth time in a row that Eid was celebrated in a subdued manner in Kashmir. Last year, Eid-ul-Azha prayers were low key in view of the pandemic, while Eid-ul-Fitr prayers could not be offered in May due to a COVID-induced lockdown.
Before that, Eid-ul-Azha prayers in 2019 could not be offered in Kashmir as authorities had imposed a strict curfew in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union territories. (PTI)
The United Nations took to Twitter to wish everyone celebrating the festival. Here's what it said:
Sheer khurma is a festive vermicelli pudding that is an Iftar favourite. Containing dry fruits, condensed milk, sugar, cardamom, nuts, and many such ingredients, this dish is rich in flavour and will leave you craving for more. It is also eaten as part of the morning meal on Eid after prayer and then served to guests throughout the day.
If you looking for a recipe to make delicious sheer khurma, check out the recipe by chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year Thursday as the COVID-19 pandemic again forced mosque closings and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Islam's holiest month of Ramzan.
Worshippers wearing masks joined communal prayers in the streets of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
The world's most populous Muslim-majority nation allowed mosque prayers in low-risk areas, but mosques in areas where there was more risk of the virus spreading closed their doors, including Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia.
Indonesians and Malaysians were banned for a second year from travelling to visit relatives in the traditional Eid homecoming.
"I understand that we all miss our relatives at times like this, especially in the momentum of Eid," Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in televised remarks.
"But let's prioritise safety together by not going back to our hometowns."
Despite the similar ban a year ago, the number of daily cases in Indonesia had picked up by 37% three weeks after the holiday. Similar patterns followed other holidays in the country that has counted 1.7 million infections and more than 47,600 fatalities from COVID-19.
The Jakarta governor also ordered malls, restaurants and leisure destinations usually packed during the holiday period to shut.
With no congregational prayers at mosques, no family reunions, no relatives bearing gifts and cookies for children, "Eid is not a grand event anymore," Jakarta resident Maysa Andriana said. "The pandemic has changed everything... this is too sad!" she said.
While police set up highway checkpoints and domestic flights and other modes of transportation were suspended, anxiety lingers that people will defy the prohibition. Television reports showed city dwellers hiding on disguised trucks or fishing boats and officers at roadblocks being overwhelmed by desperate motorists.
"We followed the government decision that banned us visiting my parents for Eid last year, it's enough! Nothing can stop me now," said factory worker Askari Anam, who used alleys and shortcuts to avoid being stopped from visiting his hometown.
"Of course I'm worried," he said when asked about possibly contracting the virus. "But I leave it to God."
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed concern of a virus spike and feared people would travel despite the ban.
In the southern Philippines, coronavirus outbreaks and new fighting between government forces and Muslim insurgents in one province prevented people from holding large public prayers. Instead, most hunkered down in their homes, while in Maguindanao province, many families displaced by recent fighting marked the holiday in evacuation camps.
In Malaysia, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unexpectedly announced another nationwide lockdown from Wednesday until June 7 to curb a spike in cases. Inter-state travel and all social activities are banned, which means that like in Indonesia, Muslims cannot visit each other or family graves.
Muhyiddin acknowledged that many are angry with the lockdown but defended the need for drastic measures, saying hospitals have almost reached their capacity.
Malaysia reported 4,765 cases on Wednesday, pushing its tally to 453,222, nearly fourfold from the start of the year. Deaths also rose to 1,761.
"Is this government tyrannical? But I am not a tyrant," Muhyiddin said, "Imagine if you have guests over, then the virus will spread. ... If the guest visits 10 homes, then 10 families will be infected with COVID-19 and in the end as soon as (Eid) ends, the number of positive cases in the country could jump to tens of thousands daily. (AP)
Wish your loved ones this Eid with these special messages
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued guidelines, urging people to celebrate the festival in a simple manner and advised against taking out processions and congregating in view of COVID-19 and the curbs enforced in the state.
Ramzan, the holy month of Muslims, began on April 13.
Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month, will be celebrated either on May 13 or May 14 depending upon the sighting of the moon.
The government, in a statement, said Muslims should offer prayers or have 'iftar' (evening meals) inside their homes and not gather at mosques or public places given the spread of the respiratory disease.
Community members should not come together to offer namaz inside mosques or on open places, the government said.
It said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other local administrations have allotted time slots within which the people should make Eid-ul-Fitr related purchases.
People should not gather or come together to make purchases beyond the said time slots, the government said.
Since section 144 of the CrPC, banning assembly of five or more people at one spot, and night curfew have been imposed in the state to stem the COVID-19 spread, hawkers should not set up stalls along roads and people should not roam outside without any valid reason, the statement said.
It said no procession should be taken out and added religious, social, cultural, and political programmes should not be organised.
The government said since the places of worship are closed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, Muslim religious leaders, social workers and politicians should spread awareness among the people about celebrating the festival in a
simple manner.
It is very necessary to observe social distancing norms, wear face masks and use hand sanitisers on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, the statement said. (PTI)
Wish your loved ones with these special wishes
For the second consecutive year, there will be no congregational prayers and get-togethers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Muslim clerics here urging the community members to celebrate the festival at home in a simple manner.
Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month, will be celebrated either on May 13 or May 14 depending on the sighting of the moon.
The Maharashtra government has already guidelines, urging people to celebrate the festival in a simple manner and advised against taking out processions and congregating in view of the curbs enforced in the state.
"Amid distress, fear, and worry, we have to celebrate the Eid at home this year," said Maulana Sohel, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad Mandi Faction) Marathwada unit.
Coordinator of Jalna's 'Holy Quran Centre', Abdul Hafiz, said that one-to-one meetings and gatherings during this year's Eid are a distant dream considering the prevailing coronavirus situation.
He, however, said that people can make use of technology to connect with each other virtually. (PTI)
“Eid-ul-Fitr should be celebrated with simplicity. People should stay inside their homes and follow all Covid-19 protocols which have been imposed for our own safety. People are requested to abide by all guidelines," said Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid from Farangi Mahali. He urged people to congratulate each other on social media platforms instead of going out.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims across the world observe a fast or roza from dawn to dusk. Worshippers eat a meal before sunrise after which they abstain from eating and also drinking water until after sunset when they have the Iftar meal with their families. The celebrations may be restrained this time owing to the lockdown, but you can always add some extra flavours to your day by trying new recipes. To help you, we have put together some recipes that will make for a loving feast after a full day of fasting. Read more here.
Gauahar Khan, who observed a fast during the holy month of Ramadan, often shares pictures of her looks on Instagram. Recently, she shared some pictures in which she looked lovely in a custom-made red outfit. Check them out below:
For more details of the timetable, take a look here
The shadows over Ramzan are darker this time and the despair deeper, the scramble for oxygen, hospital beds and even a decent burial for their loved ones eclipsing the gloom that marked the fasting month last year. With no large congregations in mosques, no ‘iftar’ parties and no late night shopping, it was said 2020 Ramzan was like no other in living memory. But as a second, deadlier COVID-19 wave ravages large parts of the country, Ramzan 2021 has rewritten even that pandemic norm. (PTI). Read more here.
This religious festival marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate this day in the month of Shawwal. Eid ul-Fitr means the occasion of breaking the fast. The day stands for expressing gratitude to the almighty Allah for all that we are have. It is believed that Muslims were commanded by Allah to continue fasting till the last day of Ramadan. According to the Holy book, Quran, devotees must pay the Zakat al-Fitr before offering the prayers for Eid. Read more here.