Ramadan is a time of humble reflection, prayer, and perseverance. It reminds us that no matter how difficult life is, we still have a lot to be thankful for. The religious festival Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims fast. Eid is celebrated on the last day of the month of Ramadan, ending the fast with the dawn of the moon. The timing of Eid varies from country to country. In some countries, the holy city of Mecca observes rituals at sunrise. Eid is celebrated for three days with the dawn of the new moon.
The Colombo Grand Mosque announced that the Ramazan festival will be celebrated today due to the sighting of the new moon in several parts of the island yesterday afternoon. Middle Eastern and African countries began celebrating Eid on Monday, while the United Kingdom and other European countries began celebrating on Tuesday. Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic lunar calendar. It is considered one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe Allah revealed the first verse of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, to Prophet Muhammed through the angel Gabriel in the month of Ramadan.
One of the most important rituals performed during Ramadan is the observance of fasting. Devotees who eat their first meal daily before sunrise do not eat any food until sunset. Muslims believe that this is a special time for religious and physical discipline. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims strive to be free from all forms of pleasure and to be more religious. Eid (Ramadan) is celebrated at the end of the fasting month.
However, festival celebrations will be muted this year due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country and new travel restrictions which will go into effect from Thursday. The Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department had already suspended all congregational activities and prayers in mosques on the advice of the health ministry. This includes Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.
