Eid al-Fitr Holiday

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in Syria with much religious fervour and general merriment. The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, immediately following the holy month of Ramadan and month-long period of fasting, prayer and devotion. It is one of the most important of all Muslim commemorations. In Syria, the great majority of the population is Muslim and is very keen on observing Eid al-Fitr. This holiday has been celebrated for around 1,400 years by Muslims all over the world and is deeply ingrained into Islamic culture. Eid al-Fitr is called the Lesser Eid in deference to Eid Al-Adha, the Greater Eid, but being the second most important holiday on the Islamic Calendar is certainly not a small place. And the date of Eid al-Fitr, right after the fasting days of Ramadan, makes it especially memorable to participants. On Eid al-Fitr, many Syrians will attend public prayers, ask forgiveness and give forgiveness to others, give a gift of food or money to the poor, give small gifts to children, enjoy a festive meal at home, and spend the day off work with family. In Syria, men traditionally go door to door for Eid, wishing everyone a happy Eid and accepting coffee and traditional sweets like Mamoul cookies as they go!