When and How to Celebrate Eid al Fitr 2023 in Qatar

Posted : 04-April-2023

Eid al-Fitr is an annual festival celebrated by families and friends throughout the Islamic world. Eid al-Fitr is observed immediately after Ramadan and is considered the most significant and joyous celebration of the Islamic faith. Essentially, Eid al Fitr provides believers with a chance to express gratitude to God for enabling them to successfully fulfil the mandatory fast and follow His decrees throughout the sacred month of Ramadan. By doing so, Muslims celebrate the return to a state of fitra (innocence/purity), having been absolved of their wrongdoings and commencing a fresh start in life.

The date of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon (a day after the new moon) and falls on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. As the Islamic calendar is lunar, the process of determining the date of Eid al-Fitr can only be performed under cover of the night. Should the crescent moon not be spotted, Ramadan continues another day!

Qatar will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Friday, April 21, 2023. The festival is celebrated for three days after fasting for a month in Ramadan. Qataris celebrate Eid al-Fitr by spending quality time with their families and relatives. Some may even travel to other locations to commemorate the occasion. Most schools and businesses remain closed during the Eid al-Fitr holidays.

The day of Eid typically begins with a special Eid prayer held after early morning prayers when the sun is out. It is crucial to give Zakat-ul-Fitr before Eid prayers, giving alms to those in need. After prayers, Muslims often visit friends and family to share gifts and goodwill and may also gather for a meal.

Eid al-Fitr fills children with immense excitement as they link the festivities with receiving lavish gifts and enjoying delicious feasts. It is customary for grown-ups to greet young ones by presenting them with sweets, gifts, and modest amounts of money as an expression of holiday cheerfulness.

The festival of Eid-al-Fitr means ‘the festival of breaking the fast' and is a time of rejoicing and celebrating. Festive lanterns and lights come alive in cities where Eid is celebrated with zeal and fervour. During Eid al-Fitr in Qatar, people dress up in stylish clothes, visit their loved ones, indulge in special Eid foods and sweets, and enjoy traditional Qatari dishes such as machboos, ghuzi, balalat, and um ali. Everyone exchanges gifts for Eid tradition.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar has outlined a series of preventative measures to keep everyone safe in light of the pandemic. Eid prayers require face masks throughout the worship, whether it is held in mosques or designated prayer grounds. Worshippers should bring their own prayer mats and observe social distance of one and a half meters at all times. To enter the mosque or prayer ground, worshippers must provide their green status through the Ehteraz app beforehand. Children under 12 cannot attend prayer. Handshakes and hugs will not be allowed, and worshippers are encouraged to avoid crowding after praying. The prayer areas designated for women in mosques and prayer grounds will be closed.

Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration and joy, and one of the most important aspects of celebrating this festival is shopping. People in Qatar typically shop for new clothes, shoes, and accessories for themselves and their families. Online shopping platforms like Jazp offer a convenient and hassle-free way to shop for Eid. Customers can browse a wide variety of products, compare prices, and choose from different brands without having to leave the comfort of their homes. Jazp offers a range of products, including traditional clothing, perfumes, and makeup, as well as electronics, household items, and gifts. The platform also offers fast delivery and easy payment options, making it a popular choice for Eid shopping in Qatar.