Eid Mubarak Said

The View from Fez wishes all its readers a joyous Eid al-Fitr

In Morocco, Eid is scheduled to fall on Monday 21 September. It's a happy occasion described by the Prophet Mohamed as a day of merriment and joy that's usually spent with family and friends. It marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Almost 2 billion Muslims around the world celebrate Eid as a three-day festival to mark the end of the fast. It's a fitting end to the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

The first Eid is said to have taken place in 624 CE when the Prophet and his army won the battle of Badr. The army had been fasting, and broke the fast when they won the battle.

On Eid morning, which is the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, families offer a special prayer of thanks for the help and strength received to practise self-discipline during Ramadan. Before the Eid prayer, every Muslim must pay Zakat al-Fitr (a charity), a special offering given in thanks for one's own prosperity. Usually it's collected at the mosque to be distributed to those who are less fortunate.

After breaking the fast, offering prayers and alms, families begin their celebrations with food, family and friends. In most parts of the Islamic world, Muslims give each other small gifts and wear new clothes.