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Eid al Fitr is a special day among families and friends throughout the Islamic world. This two-to-three-day festival takes place immediately following the end of the month of Ramadan and is the most significant and joyous observance of the Islamic faith.
In essence, Eid al Fitr presents the faithful with the opportunity to thank God for having been granted the strength and conviction to complete the obligatory fast and obey His commandments during the holy month of Ramadan. By having done so, Muslims rejoice in returning to a state of fitra (innocence/purity), having been pardoned of all their transgressions, thus starting life anew.
As we prepare to welcome the holiest of months, here are the dates, public holidays, and observances for welcoming and celebrating Eid al Fitr 2023 in Qatar.
Eid Mubarak!
Eid al Fitr 2023 Qatar date
The Islamic calendar is lunar and based on the moon’s sighting compared to the Gregorian calendar, a solar calendar. Determining the date of the Eid al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the crescent moon (a day after the new moon). As such, the process of determining the date of the Eid al-Fitr can only be performed under cover of the night. Should the crescent moon not be spotted, Ramadan continues for another day.
Eid al-Fitr 2023 in Qatar is expected to fall on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Eid al Fitr 2023 Qatar holidays
With Eid al-Fitr will likely fall on 21 April, residents can expect a three-day holiday from 23 – 25 April 2023. During the holidays, schools and most businesses are closed as Qataris typically celebrate the festivities by spending some time with families and relatives, with some even opting to travel for Eid.
Eid al Fitr in Qatar
The people of Qatar celebrate Eid-al-Fitr for three days after fasting for a month in the holy month of Ramadan. Though Eid may be celebrated differently in separate parts of the world, the day typically begins with a special Eid prayer held after the early morning prayers when the sun is out. It is crucial to give Zakat-ul-Fitr before the Eid prayers, giving alms to those in need.
After the prayers, Muslims often visit friends and family bearing gifts and goodwill and may also get together over a meal.
Image © welcomeqatar
In particular, children are incredibly excited as they have come to associate Eid al-Fitr with generous sums of gifts and feasts. It’s typical for adults to congratulate the little ones by distributing sweets, gifts, and small sums of money to express the holiday’s joy.
Eid-al-Fitr means ‘the festival of breaking the fast and is a time of rejoicing and celebrating. Festive lanterns and lights come alive all over cities where Eid is celebrated with zeal and fervour. Everyone wears new clothes, visits friends and family, enjoys special Eid foods and sweets, and traditional Qatari dishes such as machboos, ghuzi, balalat, um ali, and exchanges gifts as part of the Eid tradition.
Eid Prayer safety measures
© thepeninsulaqatar.com
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has outlined a series of preventive measures to keep everyone safe in light of the pandemic.
Those attending the Eid prayer must continue to wear their face masks for the duration of the worship, both in mosques or on designated prayer grounds.
Worshippers should bring their own prayer mats and observe the social distancing of one and a half meters at all times. Worshippers are also required to produce their green status by way of the Ehteraz app prior to entering the mosque or prayer ground. Children under 12 years of age will not be permitted to attend the prayer.
Handshakes and hugs will not be allowed, and worshippers are encouraged to avoid crowding after performing the prayer. Women’s prayer areas in mosques and prayer grounds will be closed.
