Eid Al-Fitr In Bahrain: Official Holiday Declared

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are two of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, while Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God. Both Eids are public holidays in Bahrain, with the next Eid al-Adha expected to begin on June 7, 2025, and Eid al-Fitr falling on March 31, 2025.

Eid al-Fitr in 2025

Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and the beginning of a feast that breaks the fast. In 2025, Eid al-Fitr will be observed from sundown on Sunday, March 30th, until sundown on Monday, March 31st.

The date of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the moon, specifically the first day of the month of Shawwal (Islamic Calendar) when the crescent moon is sighted. This means that the date of Eid can vary from country to country and is often not declared until close to the start of Ramadan. In Bahrain, the date of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia. While the dates for 2025 Eid al-Fitr in Bahrain have not been officially announced yet, it is expected to fall on March 31st, with additional holidays on April 1st and 2nd.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with special prayers called "Salat Al Eid" or "Rakat" in Arabic, followed by a sermon where the imam asks for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for every being across the world. It is customary to wear new clothes, eat something sweet like a date on the way to the mosque, and recite a small prayer called a takbeer. Other traditions include giving money to the poor ("Zakat al-Fitr"), sending Eid greetings, and feasting with families and friends. The phrase "Eid Mubarak" is commonly used as a greeting, wishing a "blessed festival" to the recipient.

Eid al-Fitr is a significant holiday for Muslims, as it marks the conclusion of the month-long fasting and prayer during Ramadan. It is a time for gratitude to Allah, showing forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and celebrating with loved ones.

Eid al-Adha in 2025

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important days on the Muslim calendar. It is celebrated by Muslims all over the world, including in Bahrain. In 2025, Eid al-Adha is expected to fall on 7 June, with celebrations beginning at sunset on 6 June. The date is tentative, as the exact date is determined by moon sighting and will be confirmed closer to the event.

Eid al-Adha commemorates the Quranic story of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to God's command. Just before the sacrifice, God provided a ram as a substitute, symbolizing faith and devotion.

In Bahrain, Eid al-Adha will be marked with special prayers, sermons, and the sacrificial ritual honouring Ibrahim's devotion to God. Muslims in the country typically sacrifice sheep, goats, cows, or camels, with each person contributing a portion of the meat. The meat is then divided into three parts: one for the family to feast on, one to be distributed to neighbours and the poor, and one to be donated to charity.

The celebration also includes sharing meals with family and friends, with dishes like kebabs, biryani, curries, and the popular haleem, a slow-cooked stew. People also visit friends and family, exchange greetings, and share gifts.

Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in Bahrain, and schools and most businesses are closed. While the public holidays for Eid al-Adha 2025 have not been officially announced yet, it is expected that there will be additional days off on 8 and 9 June.

Eid al-Adha in 2024

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar. In 2024, several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, will observe Eid al-Adha from Saturday, 15 June, to Tuesday, 18 June. This provides residents with a much-anticipated break and a chance to celebrate with their families.

In Bahrain, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has outlined the Eid al-Adha holiday schedule for public sector employees. As per the announcement, all ministries and public institutions will be closed during this period. Given that Friday, 14 June, is a regular weekend day off, this extends the holiday period to a total of five days, allowing public sector workers to enjoy a prolonged break.

Eid al-Adha is marked by special prayers, feasts, and acts of charity. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and family gatherings. The festivities will be observed with varying dates and durations across the region, with each country offering different holiday lengths.

In preparation for the Eid al-Adha celebrations in Bahrain, families often don new clothes and light incense before heading to the masjid. After completing the Eid prayer, the family typically gathers at the Al Bait Al Oud (the family house) to enjoy a special Eid breakfast together. Popular dishes include ghoozi, a dish of rice, lamb, and eggs, and baklava, a sweet treat drenched in honey.

The dates for Eid al-Adha are determined by the lunar Islamic Hijra calendar and are subject to change based on the sighting of the moon.

Eid al-Adha in 2023

Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'Feast of Sacrifice', is a significant Islamic festival commemorating Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God. This event is mentioned in the Quran, Surah As-Saffat (37:102). The festival is celebrated with community gatherings, prayers, feasts, charitable acts, and remembrance.

In 2023, Eid al-Adha was expected to be celebrated on June 28 in most Islamic countries, including Bahrain. The date is determined based on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. The first day of Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of this month.

In Bahrain, Eid al-Adha holidays were announced for employees in the Kingdom. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, issued a circular regarding the Arafah and Eid al-Adha holidays. According to the circular, the Kingdom's ministries and public institutions were closed on Arafah, which was observed on Tuesday, June 27, and on Eid al-Adha, which fell on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. As Friday is already an official holiday in Bahrain, Sunday, July 2, was given as an additional day off.

Eid al-Adha is a time for Muslims to gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, and share meals. It is also a time for charitable acts, with Qurbani being a significant part of the celebration. Qurbani involves sacrificing an animal, such as a lamb, sheep, goat, or camel, to honour Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice. The meat from the sacrifice is then shared with those in need.

The festival holds great significance in Islam, as mentioned in the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad: "Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the 'Eid-ul-Adha' and 'Eid-ul-Fitr.'"

Eid al-Adha: traditions

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two main holidays in Islam. It is a four-day festival that falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God. As the story goes, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a ram to kill instead. This story also appears in the Bible and the Torah, but with the key difference being that Isaac, not Ishmael, is the son of Abraham in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Muslims around the world honour Ibrahim's devotion by observing Eid al-Adha as the Day of Sacrifice. The festival is marked by several traditions that are observed by those celebrating.

One of the main traditions of Eid al-Adha is the ritual sacrifice of an animal, typically a cow, sheep, goat, or camel. Those who cannot perform the sacrifice themselves may buy halal meat to donate to the poor. The meat from the sacrifice is divided into three parts: one-third is consumed by the family, another third is distributed to friends and relatives, and the final third is donated to the needy. This tradition ensures that all Muslims, regardless of their financial situation, can eat meat during the festival.

Another key tradition of Eid al-Adha is the giving of charity. This can take the form of money, food, or clothes donated to the homeless or less fortunate. It is also customary to exchange gifts and greetings, such as "Eid Mubarak", with friends, family, and neighbours.

The day of Eid al-Adha begins with morning prayers, followed by visits to friends and family. Sharing meals is an important part of the celebration, with dishes like kebabs, biryani, curries, and haleem—a slow-cooked stew—being popular choices.

Eid al-Adha is a joyous and generous festival, filled with prayer, feasting, gift-giving, and charity. It is a time for Muslims to come together and commemorate the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim, while also ensuring that those less fortunate are not forgotten.

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