Muslims Worldwide to Celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr on Wednesday
By The Public Lens
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), has after its moon sighting committee reported not having seen the crescent moon on Monday evening, announced that Muslims across Uganda and the entire world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.
“After careful assessments and consultations with the moon sighting committees throughout Uganda, it has been confirmed that the crescent moon has not been sighted this evening, therefore, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10th,” Dr. Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, Director of Sharia at UMSC said in a brief statement to the Muslim community on Monday evening.
Sheikh Lubanga’s announcement came just hours after the World Muslim leadership in Saudi Arabia made a similar proclamation moments ago, urging believers to spend the remaining days of the auspicious month doing good deeds.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is celebrated on the ninth day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, and introspection.
On Wednesday morning, worshippers are expected to gather at various mosques around the nation for special Eid prayers, while families will prepare customary meals, exchange blessings, and spend time together.
How do Muslims celebrate Eid?
Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.
Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.
On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.
It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date-filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.
Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day. Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.
Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.
In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.
It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.
