Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant and eagerly anticipated holidays in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world. As the month of Ramadan draws to a close on Thursday, the first day of Eid has been announced on Friday. Saudis across the country prepare for four days of celebration, family gatherings, and cultural traditions. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the customs and festivities that make Eid al-Fitr such a special time in Saudi Arabia.

Observing Eid

In Saudi Arabia, Eid is a highly anticipated celebration that follows the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. It’s a time of immense joy and relief for those who have successfully completed the task of fasting, praying, and devotion. Eid al-Fitr, which means “Festival of Breaking Fast,” is one of the two major holidays on the Islamic calendar, beside Eid Al Adha after Haj.

In Saudi Arabia, Eid lasts for four days, during which schools and both public and private sectors are closed in the last five days of Ramadan and then for the four days of Eid. The excitement of Eid begins with a special prayer called Salat Al Eid, which is said twice a year. The prayers start early in the morning after the morning prayer and everyone who comes to pray is dressed in their best clothes. After the prayers that end around 9:00 am, some families have the tradition of having breakfast and then go to sleep to get ready for the day.

While Ramadan is often compared to the Christian season of Christmas in terms of the importance of food and feasting, Eid al-Fitr is a holiday that is similar to Christmas in terms of the joy of giving and receiving gifts.

Preparations and Celebrations

In preparation for Eid, Saudis buy the nicest clothes and jewelry, and visit hairdressers and barbers to ensure they look their best. Celebrations for Eid, like those for Ramadan, are everywhere, with streets lit up and homes, shops, and malls adorned with festive decorations. Households prepare themselves to welcome guests with juices, chocolates, and sweets.

During Eid, families come together to enjoy each other’s company and set a visit plan for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives, where younger members of the family visit their elders during the first two days. Usually, the big houses, like grandparents, older uncles, and aunts, are the first to be visited. They don’t visit others unless it’s their parents, and that’s done in the evening when visiting time is over.

Traditions

Visiting hours usually begin in the afternoon and last until early evening. After that, families spend time together either at home or by going out to restaurants. A widespread tradition during Eid-al-Fitr is the exchanging of gifts to parents and siblings, known as Eidiya. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged this practice, saying “Give gifts to one another, you will love each other.”

I remember not being able to sleep on the Eve of Eid, eagerly anticipating having my hair done and counting the houses that we would visit to figure out the amount of money I would come out with. The common joke was that you shouldn’t tell your mother how much money you’ve got, otherwise, she’ll have to give the same amount to the kids in the family that gave you money.

In modern Saudi Arabia, entertainment options for Eid have expanded beyond traditional family gatherings. Festivals in malls and city walks are now available to people with different income levels who want to enjoy their time outside of their homes.