Eid al-Fitr 2026: Date, Eid Prayer & Zakat al-Fitr

Eid Prayer

The day begins with a special congregational Salat al-Eid in the morning — two rak'ah with additional takbirat, followed by a khutbah. Men, women, and children all attend. It is one of the largest congregational gatherings in Islam, held in open grounds, stadiums, and mosques worldwide.

Zakat al-Fitr

Before the Eid prayer, every Muslim must give Zakat al-Fitr — a specified amount of food or its monetary equivalent — to those in need. This ensures everyone in the community can celebrate Eid. It must be given before the Eid prayer to be valid.

Feasting and Family

After prayer, families gather for a festive meal — the first daytime meal after a month of fasting. Traditional foods vary by culture: sheer khurma in South Asia, maamoul cookies in the Arab world, ketupat rice cakes in Southeast Asia. Children receive Eidi (money gifts) and relatives are visited.

Eid Greetings

The traditional greeting is Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid) or Eid Sa'id (Happy Eid). The reply is Wa antum mubarak. Regional variants include Selamat Hari Raya (Malay/Indonesian), Bonne Fête de l'Aïd (French), and Mutlu Bayramlar (Turkish).

What is Zakat al-Fitr and how much is it?

Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory charity paid by every Muslim before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It must be given on behalf of every member of the household — including infants. The amount is equivalent to one sa' (approximately 2.5–3 kg) of a staple food — wheat, barley, dates, or rice — or its monetary value. In most countries, religious authorities announce the monetary equivalent each year. It must be distributed to the poor before the Eid prayer to be valid. Its purpose is to purify the fasting person of any shortcomings during Ramadan and ensure that the poor can celebrate Eid.

How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated in different countries?

Eid al-Fitr is a joyful, culturally rich celebration worldwide. In Turkey (Şeker Bayramı — Sugar Holiday), sweets are given to elderly relatives and children receive candy. In South Asia, families wear new clothes, exchange sweets like sheer khurma, and visit graves. In Indonesia and Malaysia (Hari Raya), open houses welcome neighbours of all faiths with festive foods. In Egypt, families gather for a large meal of fesikh, kahk cookies, and rice. In West Africa, streets fill with prayer and celebration. Across all cultures, the day begins with the Eid prayer, is marked by family reunions, and ends with Eidi (gifts of money) for children.