Ramzan

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The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious to the Muslims worldwide. Ramzan-Id, also known as Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated all over India. 'Eid' means celebration and 'Fitra' stands for donating a dutiable part of total family income to the poor and needy. It is celebrated the next day after the crescent (Idd ka chand) for the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar is sighted. The Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 30 days (sometimes 29 days, owing to the early sighting of the crescent) starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon the next month.

Eid-Ul-Fitr is the holiday that follows the blessed month of Ramadan and falls on the 1st day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Hijra calendar. As with all months in the Hijra calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon.

It is a very happy festival, especially for children who get gifts and money called 'Eidy' after having joined the elders at mass prayers and paying their respects to them. The bazaars are decked out and people go to Eid prayers in new clothes and accessories creating an atmosphere of colourful joy, happiness, and brotherhood.

Eid-ul-Fitr brings a message of peace, friendship and brotherhood which is displayed by 'Eid-Milan', literally meaning, 'embracing and celebrating together'. This is done after Eid prayers when all embrace each other at the mosque. Friends and business acquaintances of all faiths and communities are invited home for Eid-Milan and are served festive food including Sewaiyaan (vermicelli/noodles cooked in ghee (clarified butter) and milk with sugar), also known as Payasam in South India. Special literary and cultural programmes are organised and broadcast on radio and television, to spread the message of oneness of communities, and love and friendship throughout the world.