Eid-ul-Fitr — History, Date & Significance

Eid-ul-Fitr was established by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the migration to Medina in 622 CE, as one of the two festivals ordained for Muslims. It marks the completion of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and falls on the 1st of Shawwal in the Hijri calendar. Before the Eid prayer, every able Muslim gives Zakat-ul-Fitr — a fixed charity that ensures the poorest can also celebrate.

Eid has been celebrated in Bengal since the arrival of Islam in the region, but it grew into the country’s largest festival during the twentieth century. In Bangladesh the date is confirmed by the National Moon Sighting Committee, and the announcement on chand raat — the night the new moon is sighted — sets off nationwide festivity. Millions travel from Dhaka and other cities to their home villages, making the Eid journey one of the largest annual human migrations in the world.