Eid-ul-Fitr to be observed on August 20

19 August, 2012

Eid-ul-Fitr, a public holiday in India, is to be celebrated on August 20 to mark the end of Ramzan by the Muslim community.

THE LITERAL meaning of Eid-ul-Fitr is 'festival of breaking the fast' and is celebrated based on an Islamic belief of self-purification followed the form of social practice of unity and amity as a celebration.

On this day, Muslims turn out in their best clothes to offer a congregational prayer at mosques or in the open. After prayers, they exchange good wishes of the festival with their kin, friends, neighbours and other community people. They also perform charity and give alms to the poor on Eid. The most common recipe in this festival is the sweet vermicelli.

Through the religious Eid is for a single day but socially it is usually celebrated for three days. The religious observance falls on the first day of the month Shawwal. For the next two days Muslims around the world try to show a common goal of unity.

According to religious traditions, Muslims are encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with others and start afresh with a good note.