Eid Around the World

How Children celebrate Eid

On this page you can read some insightful facts about Eid around the world. Read how kids celebrate Ramadan and Eid in different parts of the world and read interesting stories by students about Eid traditions and celebrations in their country.

To wish someone a happy Eid, you can say, "Eid Mubarak".

What is Eid?

Eid is a religious festival celebrated around the world by the Muslim community. Eid-al-Fitr, also spellt as Eid ul-Fitr, is one the most important holy days of Islam. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid on 30 or 31 March 2025, depending on the sightings of the moon. The celebrations last usually three to four days.

Eid is the main celebration that comes after one month of fasting which is called Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims only eat before sunrise and after sunset. During the day they do not eat or drink anything. There are exceptions for the elderly, the sick or small children.

Sharing food - breaking the fast

In the Quran, the holy book of the Islam faith, it is said that one of the main reasons for fasting is that it teaches compassion. This is because when people do not eat the whole day they begin to understand what it feels like to have no food or water. It becomes easier for them to help the less fortunate. After fasting for one month, Muslims break their fast by preparing delicious meals and sweet dishes. They celebrate with family and friends.

How do Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan and Eid? Let's read what our young readers want to tell us.

Eid Around The World
South Africa

Here are some stories told by young primary school students in Cape Town/ South Africa.

"Eid is celebrated by Muslims. On this day, Muslim families come together and share their favorite meals. This happens the day after Ramadan has ended. The night before Eid, muslims comes together at the beach to sight the moon for the new Islamic month. It is a tradition that happens every year. We will gather at the beach together with the "Maan kykers" who is the leaders of our culture in our local communities. Once the moon is sighted, we know that Eid will be celebrated the very next day."

- Maankyker is the South African term used for the crescent moon-watcher, where "maan" is Afrikaans for "moon" and "kyker" means "watcher" -

"During the month of Ramadan, we are not allowed to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. We only eat in the morning before sunrise and we only break our fast again at sunset time. What I like about Ramadan is getting to share what we prepare with our neighbour’s which is samosa, pies, pancakes or whatever is made by my mom. We then get to share and eat the food that is prepared at the table with my family.

After the month of Ramadan, we celebrate Eid. We get together with our families and friends on Eid. The men go to the Mosque in the early morning of Eid and pray while the woman stays at home and prepares the food in celebration of the end of the month of Ramadan.”

Samosa and Dates

"On Eid you have a very big lunch with your loved one or significant others to celebrate you fasting all Ramadaan. Some people visit family or significant others who have passed away and go to pay their respects and best regards to their family or significant other. One thing about Eid that I like the most is that I get to spend time with some of my family who I do not spend a lot of time with.

We also say "Eid Mubarak" to friends, neighbors, family and significant others, then they respond back with "Eid Mubarak"."

"Islam is my religion which I am very proud of. What I love the most about my religion, I enjoy our fasting period in the month of ramadaan as it teaches us to sacrifice and not to waste food and share with people around us and those in need not just on these days but also every other day."

Ammaarah, Imaad, Thara and Almaz live in South Africa - They took part in the Kids World Travel Guide Competition 2024: Junior Category 8-11 years

Eid Around The World
Singapore

"Ramadan starts with fasting and ends with celebration after 30 days of fasting and praying. The main reason for fasting is to understand the pain the poor or underprivileged go through.

Praying methods, and types of prayer one has to conduct are the same regardless of the country or region. The set of activities I perform on Ramadan [whether in India or in Singapore] are the same. The day starts with the prayer at the mosque, continues with the good food or feast, and then visits relatives' and friends' houses. And the day ends with the outing to the nearby beach. Regarding the differences between India and Singapore, the first thing that comes to mind is food.

Eid in Singapore - image by Pete Burana

In Singapore, Ramadan starts with the massive Ramadan bazaars. These bazaars include dresses, toys, enticing food, snacks, and drinks. To name a few local specialties: Kueh Lapis, Onde-Onde, Chendol, Bubur Cha Cha, Putu Mayam, Apam Balik, Pulut Hitam, Rendang, Satay, and Nasi Lemak will be available to break the fast. Foods enjoyed in India as well as in Singapore are Biriyani, Murtabak, Prata, Kesari, Payasam.

It is important to note that Ramadan does not end without shopping. The dresses and decorations are part of shopping. Ramadan is celebrated with joy and peace. India and Singapore have equally good food, clothes, facilities, and celebrations to enjoy and remember.

Ahil Rayan lives in Singapore - took part in the Kids World Travel Guide Competition 2024: Junior Category 8-11 years

Eid Around The World
France

"My name is Medhi and I am a Muslim born to a Muslim family living in France. My grandparents on my mother’s side are Christians. We are all respectful of one another’s culture and it is what makes us strong in our union.

Ramadan is a sacred month for the Muslims. It lasts between twenty nine and thirty days, depending on the moon. This is why Ramadan changes date every year. The twenty-seventh night is called the Night of Destiny where the Muslims pray more than usual during this night and some go to the Mosque to be together. It is the most important night because we have to ask God for forgiveness for our mistakes.

Around two billion people observe Ramadan around the world. During this period, we fast, which means we do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Smoking is also forbidden.

The people who have passed the age of puberty are asked to fast, but sick people and children do not fast. The purpose of Ramadan is to achieve inner reflection and devotion to God. During Ramadan, we must share with others and help those in need. When it's very hot, it’s more difficult to fast and stay focused. So in late spring or early summer, when the days are longer, we need to focus on the essential things to do during this period and leave the trivial things aside to keep our energy. Also, we must try to be as calm as possible, and we must not argue so we don’t waste our energy.

I always have a great time with my family during this period. I often see my paternal grandparents who are also Muslims. We eat together at sunset. The meal to break the fast is called the "ftohr" [in English referred to as "Iftar"]. The fast is broken either with a date or with water.

Typical Iftar meal

During Ramadan, we like to cook a lot of things but we don’t eat everything, there is often some left for the next morning. When we get together as a family, everyone brings a dish or a dessert, something to share. The beginning of the meal is usually quite silent and we take more time to eat. We appreciate the things we eat. Ramadan ends with an "Aïd" [French, in English it is called "Eid"] party where we get together as a big family for the day. We prepare cakes that we offer to our family, our neighbors and our friends.

The "Aïd" is therefore the end of Ramadan and indicates that we must return to eating like the rest of the year. I like this period because I appreciate the rituals and the family time."

Medhi lives in France - He took part in the Kids World Travel Guide Competition 2024: Senior Category 12-15 years

Eid Around The World
Saudi Arabia

Fasting is a big part of the Ramadan and Eid traditions as one young Muslim who lives in Florida/ USA shares with us:

"Eid is a Muslim tradition that comes right after Ramadan. What is Ramadan? You may ask. Well, Ramadan is a holy month that comes right before Eid. It is where you fast for thirty days from dawn to dusk and then after this period, we celebrate Eid. On Eid, you might get money or gifts, but it's mostly just a celebration for after the thirty days of fasting.

Speaking of fasting, if you have never tried it, it is really hard. Well, at least the first few days are, but then you get used to it. You still have to fast in school although it is much harder because of P.E (physical education), it can still be done. I personally find it very difficult especially on school days but I always try my hardest on weekends. My mom doesn’t pressure me and my brothers, but she always encourages us to try fasting. Last year, me and my younger brother tried it and it was really hard on the first day then we got used to it. We tried fasting on the weekends of Ramadan, but it was really hard in school because we would’ve been the only ones doing it and we would’ve been seeing everyone else eat so we didn't try fasting in school.

One of my goals for 2025 is to try fasting everyday. I’ll even try fasting everyday in school!! When I fasted last year, I felt very hungry but proud of myself for trying and about one hour from sunset, I felt really happy seeing all the progress I've made from not being able to fast for more than two hours to fasting around 15 HOURS!!

During Ramadan there’s also a lot of great food like oat soup, minced beef pastries, cheese pastries, and my favorite dessert joubneia. If you aren’t Muslim and don't celebrate Ramadan you should definitely still try joubneia. It is a fried dessert similar to donut holes made with cheese, flour, eggs, yeast, vegetable oil, sugar, salt and water.

Eid lasts for four days. We usually get the first day off from school, pray in the mosque, eat breakfast at a diner, and go to the beach. Since we can get gifts or money, I think its biggest reward is seeing how much you improved from last year.

You might be wondering why people fast, well, the reason is for us to feel how many starved children and adults feel in war zones and how they have very limited resources of food. It makes us feel grateful for the food we have and the roof over our heads.

Hend lives currently in Florida, but also is raised in Saudi Arabia - He took part in the Kids World Travel Guide Competition 2024: Junior Category 8-11 years

Eid - Traditional Fireworks in Jeddah/ Saudi Arabia

How do you celebrate Eid?

It's your turn now. Let us know how you celebrate your traditional festivals. Feel free to contact us and participate and tell us what other children should learn from your culture.

Image credits for Eid Around the World: own images and shutterstock.com