Muslims offer prayer on the occasion of Eid ul adha at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi.
Islam is the second most practiced religion in India and Eid-ul-fitr is the second biggest festival (after Eid ul adha or Bakr Eid) of the followers of Islam around the world. Also known as the festival of fast breaking Eid ul fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Muslim devotees practice a month of fasting, going without food or water through the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is believed to be the toughest of all the fasts and its end is celebrated on Eid. It is also a month of prayer and sharing. It is considered noble to help people or do charity during the month. The morning to evening fast starts with sehri, which refers to the early morning meal consumed by muslims before the fast begins for the day. Paired with sehri is iftar or the evening meal with which the daylong fast is broken. Traditionally dates are eaten to break the fast, emulating prophet Muhammed who broke his fast in this fashion. Each day of the fast is called the roza, which literally translates into fasting daily.
The tough month of Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid. The day is celebrated with massed Namaz or prayer in the morning. Devout muslims do Namaz five times every day at fixed times and this namaz can be performed alone. Eid namaz is of a higher importance and is performed at the Eidgah or mosque with a congregation. Women are barred from entering but men gather at the nearest mosque for this collective prayer. Women perform the Eid namaz at home and prepare delicacies for their families. A special delicacy sevai made on this day gave it another name - meethi eid, which means sweet in Hindi. Eid greetings are passed on to each other with a hug and gifts called Eidi. This is a good day for beggars as they get a lot of alms from people in a festive mood. Beggars gather where Namaz takes place and wait for their share of eid blessings.
The followers of Islam celebrate Eid all over the world as a symbol of strength and self-control and unite in the name of Allah. The trying month of Ramadan ends in the celebration of eid to mark the blessings of Allah on to the one with absolute self-restraint.
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