Eid al-Fitr is about to start as Ramadan ends. Find Eid prayer times near Columbus
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan — the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, a time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and drink. Every day during this month, Muslims focus on God-consciousness, self-reflection and self-improvement.
With the expected sighting of the crescent moon on the night of April 9, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide and the roughly 1% of Ohioans who are Muslim will commemorate the end of Ramadan with a celebration called Eid al-Fitr, expected to fall on April 10.
Shawwal, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins immediately upon the sighting of the crescent moon, or "Shawwal moon."
The first day of Shawwal brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. A crescent moon is predicted to appear in the sky tonight, which would end Ramadan and start Eid al-Fitr.
The next day, Muslims will wake up early in the morning to get ready to attend mandatory Eid prayers at local masjids. Some Sunnahs, or the way of the Prophet, include wearing one's best clothes and perfume, and saying “Takbeer” to praise God on the way to Eid prayers.
Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “blessed festival” in Arabic.
Looking for Eid prayer locations in Columbus? Find out below.
Eid al-Fitr prayer times and locations in Columbus
Noor Islamic Cultural Center*
Greater Columbus Convention Center400 N. High Street, ColumbusTakbeer: 8:30 amSalat: 9:00 am*Prayer will NOT be at any of the NICC Locations
Polaris Masjid Islamic Center of Delaware County
8542 Cotter Street, Lewis CenterFirst Eid Khutbah: 7:20 amSecond Eid Khutbah: 8:15 am
Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio
1428 East Broad Street, ColumbusFirst Eid Prayer: 7:30 amSecond Eid Prayer: 8:30 am
Masjid Ibn Taymiyah and Islamic Center
2334 Mock Road, ColumbusFirst Prayer: 8:30 amSecond Prayer: 9:30 am
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is the first of two celebratory days in the Islamic calendar, both observed every year. Though the holiday is marked on one day, some countries will celebrate this festival for as long as three days.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. The two holidays follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, a lunar cycle. Each year, Ramadan and both Eid holidays fall about 11 days earlier than the year before because of the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of these holidays.
Eid in Arabic means "festival" or "feast," and Fitr means "breaking the fast." In other words, Eid al-Fitr literally means “festival of breaking the fast.”
When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar?
The second Eid, Eid al-Adha, will fall on the 10th day in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is predicted to fall on the evening of June 16, and end on the night of June 17.
Know of other Eid prayer times and locations in Ohio? Please email Mariyam Muhammad ([email protected]) or Jason Rossi ([email protected]) with information.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is prayer for Eid al-Fitr? What to know to celebrate in Columbus
