Eid al-Fitr Celebrated Across Nepal with Joy After Month-Long Fast

Kathmandu. The major festival of Muslims, Eid al-Fitr (Eid), was celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm on Saturday. After a month-long rigorous fast (Roza) during the holy month of Ramadan, collective Eid al-Fitr prayers were offered at Eidgahs in the morning.

On the occasion of Eid, prayers were offered and greetings were exchanged at the Jame Mosque located at Ghantaghar in Kathmandu. They embraced each other, exchanging greetings by saying 'Eid Mubarak'.

It is an Islamic tradition to offer special Namaz (prayer) in the name of Allah (God) on the occasion of Eid. The Eid festival, determined by the movement of the moon, is celebrated the day after the first sighting of the crescent moon in the bright half of the month following the end of Ramadan.

On Eid day, the holy book of Islam, the Quran, is recited by the Maulvi (religious leader) to inspire adherence to good thoughts and righteous deeds. As this is the main festival in the religious tradition, there is a custom of wearing new clothes and eating and serving Sheer Khurma (a sweet dish made from wheat flour) and other sweet delicacies. 

It is a tradition to gather at the mosque and offer collective Namaz during this festival. There is a religious belief that the worship performed during the month of Ramadan yields 70 times more benefit than in other months.