Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr today

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid ul-Fitr today, the Festival which marks the end of thirty days of Fasting.

In Ghana the National Chief Imam Osman Nuhu Sharabutu will be leading prayers at the Black Star square in Accra. President Mahama is expected to address them.  

Eid al-fitr is one of the most important days on the Muslim calendar. The celebrations involve a range of traditions, generally including a gathering of family and friends to pray and eat together. Its significance is purely spiritual.  

Muslims on this day thank Allah for the strength, will and endurance during the Ramadan period.  Regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Ramadan is the period when Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset.

They refrain from consuming food, drink and engaging in sexual relations. It also includes the increased offering of prayers and recitation of the Quran. 

Eid ul-Fitr which is a Muslim festival of breaking the fast  is an important religious  celebrated by Muslims worldwide  to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. 

The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. 

The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.  

Eid al-Fitr has a particular Islamic prayer consisting of two Rakats and generally offered in an open field or large hall. 

It may be performed only in congregation and has an additional extra six Takbirs which means rising of the hands to the ears while saying "Allāhu Akbar," literally God is great. 

Muslims believe that they are commanded by Allah, as mentioned in the Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat and fitra before offering the Eid prayers. 

GBC