Eid al-Fitr is a special time of year that marks the end of Ramadan. In this article, I’ll discuss its meaning, significance, and how it's celebrated. I'll also share interesting facts about this global celebration.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!More than two billion Muslims will celebrate Eid al-fitr in 2026. This special observation is significant to followers of Islam because it commemorates the end of the Ramadan fast, subsequently marking a time of spiritual renewal.
In this article, I’ll explain more about this festival and share some interesting facts, plus ways to give back during this charitable period.
Eid al-fitr is a blessed occasion to celebrate the end of Ramadan (the fasting month). It’s also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
Muslims around the world unite in a shared sense of gratitude towards Allah for the strength to endure the fast. This is also a time to celebrate the joy of the spiritual renewal the end of the fast brings.
The sighting of the moon determines the date. This year, Eid al-fitr is forecast to take place from March 20 to March 21, 2026.
This special Islamic holiday is famously known as the “movable feast” because of its changing date every year.
Muslims fast from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, refraining from food, drink, profanity, and other behaviors. This is done to cleanse the soul, develop a sense of self-discipline, and grow closer to Allah.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are encouraged to reflect spiritually, resist worldly indulgences, practice patience, and show more devotion to their faith.
This particular Eid is a reward for participating in fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness for sins. The Eid festival is held to show gratitude to God for his mercy and multiplied blessings.
It’s also a time to remember the lessons learned during Ramadan, which include showing compassion toward the less fortunate.
The festival starts with salat al-Eid, the Eid call to prayer performed shortly after sunrise. Muslims gather in large communal spaces, like mosques and parks.
After two consecutive units of prayer take place, a sermon known as the khutbah is held.
During the khutbah, the imam highlights the key lessons of Ramadan and reminds the ummah of their sacrifices, good deeds, and spiritual gains.
As a Muslim, you are encouraged to give zakat al-fitr to the needy, which is a charitable donation of excess food.
Zakat al-fitr is also paid as a financial contribution to an Islamic organization or masjid that assists the less fortunate.
All Muslims are obligated to give zakat al-fitr, unless they don’t have excess food available. Zakat al-fitr is due before the Eid call to prayer on the final day of Ramadan. This special form of sadaqah enables the underprivileged to join in the Eid la-fitr festivities.
After salat al-Eid, Muslims celebrate by gathering with family and close friends to enjoy a big feast.
Muslims often wear beautiful new clothes, exchange gifts, and travel to see loved ones or stay home to celebrate. Some also decorate their homes with festive decor or visit restaurants to indulge in food, community, and holiday cheer.
Traditional dishes and sweets are commonly served. These include a vermicelli pudding known as sheer khurma, halwa, pecan-stuffed dates, and other delicious sweet treats often shared with neighbors and friends.
Give zakat – a sacred pillar of Islam – by donating to a trustworthy Islamic organization or masjid that helps those in need.
Use a zakat calculator to work out how much you owe before making your donation.
In-person fundraising events are ideal in the days leading up to Eid. Many Islamic nonprofit organizations host Ramadan fundraising events to give back to the ummah and enable the less fortunate to join the celebration.
Set up a donation kiosk to collect cashless in-person donations swiftly. You’ll need a tablet paired with a card reader, and an in-person fundraising app like Donorbox Live™ Kiosk. Donation kiosks like these enable supporters to donate quickly using credit/debit cards and digital wallets.
Place a kiosk at the entry and exit points of your mosque during Ramadan and on the day of Eid. During iftar events, encourage volunteers to collect donations from guests using in-person fundraising software for smartphones, like the Tap to Pay feature for Android smartphones available with Donorbox Live (coming soon to iOS).
Pro tip: Add a QR code to your kiosk to redirect donors to a touching video demonstrating the impact of donations or to thank them for their support.
Fundraising platforms like Donorbox provide powerful crowdfunding tools that enable you to create an attractive, brand-aligned campaign to raise funds quickly. Include compelling visuals and use storytelling to inspire generosity ahead of Eid al-fitr in 2026.
Add social sharing links to your crowdfunding campaign so supporters can share it easily.
Take your fundraising even further with a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. This encourages your best supporters to fundraise for you using their own customizable fundraising pages, allowing you to reach even more people and raise more funds.
Check out the UKeff‘s Eid crowdfunding campaign hosted on Donorbox. They’ve raised £1,696 to provide Eid gifts to those who cannot afford them.
Raise More for Your Cause with Donorbox
The Day of Arafah – or Arafat – commemorates the day that Allah perfected the religion of Islam. This occasion is considered the most important day of the Islamic year. It’s the ninth day of the Hajj pilgrimage and is followed by Eid al-Adha.
Muslims who meet a certain set of criteria embark on a journey to Mount Arafat, also known as the “hill of mercy.” Mount Arafat is located 20 kilometers from the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Muslims worldwide typically worship and fast on this day to purify their souls. This prepares them to receive the ultimate reward of entering Jannah (Paradise).
Eid al-Adha is the second of the two significant Eid festivals on the Islamic calendar. It falls on the 10th day of the twelfth month on the Islamic lunar calendar.
The festival can last anywhere between two and four days.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah after sacrificing his son, Ismail. Eid al-Adha follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage at the time of qurbani (sacrifice).
The act of qurbani occurs after Eid salaah (prayers) at a mosque on the morning of Eid. An animal is slaughtered in remembrance of the Prophet Ibrahim’s ultimate sacrifice.
Qurbani meat is divided into three portions for family, friends, and the less fortunate.
Eid al-Fitr is a significant festival that unites billions of Muslims worldwide to celebrate the end of Ramadan. This time is met with goodwill and charity to enable less-fortunate Muslims to join in the celebrations.
Donorbox provides powerful fundraising features so your masjid or Islamic organization can enable the ummah to give back faithfully before and during Eid.
Sign up today to start fundraising in minutes. For more fundraising tips. visit our Nonprofit Blog and YouTube channel.
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