ABSTRACT
Do you know about an Islamic family celebration called Eid-al-Fitr? Ever wondered how Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated? Do you know the link between Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr? Ever wondered what families do on Eid day or how families prepare for this celebration? Want to know about some of the foods, rituals and preparations that go into the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr? These are just a few of the questions that are explored in this chapter. The Eid-al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month when Muslims celebrate a successful Ramadan of fasting and worship. Eid-al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious holiday celebrated by all Muslims. This chapter examines how this unique family event brings millions of individuals, families and communities from across the world together, every year for the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. It asks what it means to families and communities to celebrate this auspicious occasion together as a unit. In so doing we provide a series of case studies of different celebrations of Eid-al-Fitr. This chapter aims to unpack Eid-al-Fitr celebrations in the context of family, family heritage and family practices.
