Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks the end of the Holy Month Ramadan. On this single day, Muslims are not permitted to do fasting. This year, Eid is celebrated on July 6 2016.
In Indonesia, Eid al-Fitr is called Idul Fitri or Lebaran. And we have two days national holiday to celebrate it.
On the Lebaran day, after performing 2 rakats Eid prayer in the morning, people dressed in their new or best clothes will gather to greet their family and neighbours.
It is common to greet people with "Selamat Idul Fitri" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "mohon maaf lahir dan batin", which literally means "Please forgive (me) outwardly and internally", because Idul Fitri is not only for celebrations but also a time for atonement to ask for forgiveness for sins which they may have committed but were cleansed as a result of the fasting in the Holy Month Ramadan. During this Eid morning to afternoon, the Zakat alms for the poor are usually distributed in the mosques.
Families usually will have special Lebaran meal; special dishes will be served such as ketupat, opor ayam, rendang, sambal goreng ati, sayur lodeh, soto, etc. Various types of kue, cookies and dodol sweet delicacies are also served during this day.
Happy Eid Mubarak to all brothers and sisters who celebrate it around the world. Taqaballahu Minna Waminkum.
