How Countries Around the World Celebrate Eid

Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Sugar Feast, brings the month-long Ramzan fasts to an end. The celebrations commence with great gusto after the first sighting of the new moon and are known to last for about three-four days. 'Eid' is an Arabic word for festivity and 'fitr' means breaking the fast.

While traditions may vary, food is central to almost every celebration in the form of grand family feasts. Here's how countries across the globe ring in Eid festivities differently, yet with the same spirit.


Egypt

The celebrations last for four days and unlike other countries, fish recipes form the centerpiece of the feast along with other delicacies like Fata (a classic Egyptian dish made with meat, rice, onions and vinegar) and Kahk (cookies filled with nuts and wrapped in powdered sugar).


Afghanistan

Egg fights are unique to the Eid celebrations in Afghanistan where men gather in parks with hard-boiled eggs, trying to break the each other's egg.


Turkey

Eid is celebrated as a holiday of sweets and is popularly known as 'Seker Bayrami'. Children visit relatives and neighbours to greet them and are gifted with sweets like Baklava and Turkish delight as a blessing.


South East Asia

Beef rendang (spicy meat curry), ketupat (dumplings), dodol (toffee-like confection) and lemang (a glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo) are some of the dishes that adorn the menu. It is celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and with great enthusiasm in Indonesia where it is known as Lebaran. These countries follow the custom of mudik or balik kampung, where people meet their family and relatives and ask for forgiveness. Pelitas (oil lamps) are used to illuminate homes.


Indonesia

Besides the common South-Asian traditions, they prepare a special cake called 'Kue Lapis Legit', also known as the thousand-layer cake.  It is inspired by the Dutch cuisine and is made with flour, butter and a host of spices.


Burma

People feast on desserts made with semolina like semolina pudding or cakes. The Burmese biryani, loaded with meat, spices and dry fruits, is also a favourite.


Somalia

Besides the elaborate banquets, xalwo or more commonly known as halvo, is served as a special delicacy. It is a simple sweet made with cornstarch, sugar, spices and oil.


Saudi Arabia

In some areas, it is a common tradition that people will put large rugs on one of main streets of their neighbourhood and each household shares their meals with the others.


India

The night before Eid is called 'Chaand Raat'. Women often apply henna on their hands and feet.  Elders distribute gifts, money or sweets which are popularly known as Eidi. Diverse delights like Seviyan (vermicelli pudding), Hyderabadi Haleem (mutton stew), Kebabs and Nihaari Gosht are savoured.


Iraq

Dates are given utmost significance and a dish called Klaicha must be prepared by every household. Klaicha is a rose-scented cookie filled with dates and nuts.