Across the globe, millions of muslims are fasting in the holy month of Ramadan every year. The fasting period starts from around sunrise and ends roughly at sunset. Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon. A special celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after a whole month of fasting. The celebrations can last 1 to 3 days and around the world, Muslims celebrate in their own cultural way with family members and friends.
Usually the morning of Eid starts with having a special bath called a ‘ghusl’. On Eid, Muslims wear new clothes or their best clothing as this is a time of celebration and feasting. Different cultures have special clothing which is unique to them. In Oman, men wear a dishdasha which is a long white robe and they wear this with a kumma ( embroidered cap ) or a mussar(turban). In Indonesia, many women wear the kebaya dress and kerudung hijab which can come in many different colours. In certain cultures, women can also be seen with intricate henna patterns on their hands to mark this special day.
Whilst it is still the morning, families go to their local mosque for a special Eid morning prayer. After this, Muslims visit family members and feast on delicious selection of food. In Singapore, there is an annual Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar which features over a hundred food vendors selling yummy traditional Malay foods like beef rendang, chicken rendang, sticky rice and traditional cookies as well as bubble-tea deserts which may not be traditional but is definitely delightful.