Like most faiths, Islam has several holidays, with the most significant being Eid.
There are two festivals (Eids) each Islamic year.
Both start with a morning prayer and involve feasting and spending time with family and friends.
The two Eid festivals are around 3 months apart in the Gregorian calendar, similar to how the holidays of Christmas and Easter are just a few months apart.
The two Eids
In a weeks time, it’ll be Eid al-Adha.
Here’s a summary of the differences between the two festivals:
Eid al-Adha 🕋
- Falls on the 10th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the final month in the Islamic calendar)
- We know around 10 days in advance when Eid al-Adha will fall
- It’s a festival of sacrifice, recognising the sacrifice Ibrahim (AS) was willing to make
- The charitable act of Qurbani involves donating meat to those most in need
- Celebrations tend to last 3-4 days
- It’s sometimes called “Greater Eid” or “Big Eid”
Eid al-Fitr ☪️
- Starts at the end of the holy month of fasting (Ramadan) on the 1st of Shawwal
- We don’t know when Eid al-Fitr will be until either the evening before or two evenings before the day
- It’s a celebration of Allah (God) giving us the strength to complete Ramadan
- Celebrations usually last 1-3 days
- It’s sometimes referred to as “Lesser Eid” or “Small Eid”
The Day of Arafah
The day before Eid al-Adha (the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah) is known as The Day of Arafah, and Muslims will usually fast on this day. Some will choose to fast for the first 9 days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, so please be mindful that Muslims you know might not be eating or drinking from dawn to sunset.
Eid Mubarak!
If you want to wish your Muslim friends and colleagues well this coming Eid, you can say “Eid Mubarak” which means to have a blessed festival.
To those celebrating the upcoming Eid al-Adha, Eid Mubarak! 🕋
