Eid al-Adha in 2024: the essence of the holiday and traditions

Eid al-Adha is one of the main holidays of the Islamic calendar, which marks the end of strict fasting and the lifting of all its restrictions. In 2024, Eid al-Fitr falls on April 10th. The origins and traditions of the holiday are in the Kommersant reference.

What is celebrated during the holiday

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe strict fasting, the sacred nature of which is due to the fact that on the night of Ramadan 27, 610, the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad began. During fasting, it is prescribed to abstain from food, drink, smoking and entertainment during daylight hours.

In Arabic, the holiday is called Eid ul-Fitr, which literally translates as “the holiday of breaking the fast.” In Turkic languages, the name consists of the Persian words “ruza” (“fast”) and “bayram” (“holiday”). According to legend, the holiday was established in 624 by the Prophet Muhammad. On this day, Muslims break their fast and celebrate the end of fasting in the first 3-4 days of the month of Shawwal following Ramadan. Eid al-Adha is celebrated by all Muslims, regardless of their sect – both Shiites and Sunnis. The holiday has spread along with the Muslim religion since the times of the Arab Caliphate. In all Muslim countries it is considered a day off.

Muslims believe that Eid al-Adha is the time to thank Allah for Ramadan because it gives a person the opportunity to experience divine blessings during this time.

Preparation and celebration

A few days before the holiday, Muslims clean their houses, buy new interior items, and some even update furniture. Like Ramadan, Eid al-Adha begins at sunset on the first day of the new moon. Since Muslims determine the date according to the lunar calendar, the day of Eid al-Fitr moves annually according to the Gregorian calendar and varies from country to country, depending on the geographical location.

Muslims begin the celebration of Eid al-Fitr by participating in communal morning prayer, followed by a short sermon. They prepare for prayer by performing ablution, cleaning themselves up and changing into new clothes. On the way to prayer, which is held in a mosque or in the open air, Muslims pronounce the takbir (religious exclamation) “Allahu akbar” (“God is great”).

During Eid al-Fitr, believers traditionally congratulate each other on the end of fasting, give alms (money or food), and also prepare festive dishes, excluding foods and alcohol prohibited in Islam. In addition, gifts are a mandatory attribute of the holiday: the Koran, religious objects, dishes, home decor or sweets. It is customary to gather with a large circle of relatives, neighbors and friends for the holiday.

During Eid al-Fitr, you cannot do heavy physical labor or household chores other than cooking. You should also not quarrel, entertain bad thoughts or slander.

Eid al-Fitr in Russia

A non-working day is set aside for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr in the following republics of the Russian Federation: Adygea, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Tatarstan, Chechnya, Crimea.

The number of holidays varies in different regions; it is determined by the decision of local authorities. Thus, in honor of Eid al-Fitr in 2024, April 10–12 are designated as holidays in Dagestan and Ingushetia, and April 9–11 in Chechnya. In Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan there is only one holiday – April 10. In Crimea, April 12 was declared a day off in connection with Eid al-Adha.

In Moscow, holiday prayer will be held on the morning of April 10 in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, the Historical Mosque and the Memorial Mosque. Additional sites will operate in Pechatniki and the Technical Sports Center. The spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, will traditionally deliver a festive sermon.