Eid al-Fitr Holiday in Morocco

Overview

Eid al-Fitr, known as "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. In Morocco, a country with a majority Muslim population, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with great fervor and is an official public holiday.

History and Significance

Eid al-Fitr has its origins in the Islamic tradition, instituted by the Prophet Muhammad in 624 CE after his victory in the battle of Badr. It is intended to be a day of joy and thanksgiving to Allah for providing strength and endurance during the preceding month of fasting.

Traditions

Moroccan traditions during Eid include:

• Prayer: The day starts with a special prayer called Salat al-Eid performed in mosques or large open spaces.
• Zakat al-Fitr: Before the Eid prayers, Muslims are required to give a specific type of charity known as Zakat al-Fitr to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.

Celebrations

On Eid day, Moroccans engage in several activities:

• Dressing Up: People wear new or their best clothes signifying cleanliness and renewal.
• Family Gatherings: Families come together to celebrate. They visit each other's homes sharing meals and sweets like cookies and pastries especially prepared for this occasion.
• Feasting: Special dishes are prepared, such as lamb or beef tagine, couscous, and various Moroccan sweets like chebakia (sesame spice cookies) and briouats (stuffed pastry).
• Gift-Giving: It's common for parents to give gifts to their children, often new clothes or money.

What People Do

Moroccans spend much of the day socializing. Children often play games and enjoy treats. Adults take time to relax and catch up with friends and extended family members. It's also common for people to take advantage of this time off work to visit vacation spots within Morocco.

Note: The exact date of Eid al-Fitr varies each year as it depends on the sighting of the moon according to the Islamic lunar calendar.