Ied

hi there,

I am travelling to Damascus during Ied holiday. Anybody has been there during that time. I would like to see and feel how it is celebrated in Middle East and on top of that some people told me that it is an amazing old/historical city. Currently live in Dubai and not much celebration happening here during this holiday. thanks!! Reply to this

Hello Yani 😊

What is Ied holiday and when is it? Reply to this

Is it what is also known as the sugar festival? All the shops and business and probably everybody else too give out sweet treats to all who come their way. Reply to this

Even though this blog is catagorized as "Middle East"... Just want to share a bit about the Eid Fitr in the country with the largest muslim population on earth: the south east asian country Indonesia , which is the northern neighbour of Australia.

I am indonesian and live near the southern border of the capital Jakarta... To me Eid Fitr means shopping, good food, family visits, no servants...

Shopping for food, for presents. To some people, like subordinates or nephews or nieces, I will just give cash gifts.
As I am not one of the elder family member.. I will be visiting at least 5 uncles or aunts during 3 days..
Often people tend to visit the eldest family members, e.g. my aunt will be visited by all her children, their spouses and her grandchildren.
A few million people will go back to their hometown, including servants, drivers... So bosses, be ready to clean your stuff by yourself...
A few days before Eid Fitr, the news will defenitely show the latest about the traffic jams on the island of Java and Sumatra because so many people go back to their hometown by bus, motorcycle and car.

THe national holiday is on 1 - 2 oct (1st oct is Eid Fitr), but the banks are closed for at least 5 working days (monday 29 sep till fri 3 oct).

The atmosphere of Eid Fitr is comparible to Christmas...
For non muslims... it can be interesting if you know some indonesian friends, colleagues or neighbours, so you can visit their houses, or join their family visits and taste the yummy snacks and/or food...
A few people have open -house for friends... However, Eid Fitr is more a family occasion...
Usually friends and work colleagues come together a few days after Eid Fitr holidays.
A lot of non muslims also go on holiday during these national holidays so I guess you will see a lot of people on e.g. the island of Bali...

Eid Fitr for tourists can just be another quiet national holiday..
But if you are in Jakarta, just don't visit tourist places like Ancol (beach/art market/sea world) or Taman Mini Indonesia (normal sized replicas of traditionl houses of all the 33 provinces and lots of other museums) or the zoo (ragunan) , because thousands of people will go there after their family visits.

Eid Fitr ? family first, friends a bit later



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In Indonesia we say : " Idul Fitri", our malaysian neighbours say " Aidil Fitri".
That is why I had to look up the term "Eid ul Fitr" from an american book about Islam.

I think the website wikipedia can explain better than I do. Please correct me if I am wrong. From wikipedia:
Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah") and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. end quote. Reply to this