Eid al-Fitr Description
The Festival of Breaking the Fast, one of Islam's two great celebrations, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, the holiday officially begins upon the moonsighting committee's confirmation of the new crescent moon of Shawwal. The morning starts with special Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, and thousands of mosques across the Kingdom. Families dress in new, often custom-tailored, traditional clothing. Homes are filled with Arabic coffee (qahwa), dates, and traditional sweets like maamoul and kleeja. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close for all four days. The celebration is marked by family visits, gift exchanges (eidiyah money for children), and increasingly elaborate public events including fireworks, concerts, and shopping festivals in major cities' retail districts. The Kingdom's streets glow with festive lighting displays as the nation collectively rejoices after a month of fasting and worship.
