The Ramadan lasting for a month is about to end, and the eagerly awaited Eid al-Fitr is coming!

Pray

A hugely important date in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr – translated from Arabic as "the festival of breaking the fast" – is celebrated by Muslims all over the world as it marks the end of Ramadan and signals the beginning of Shawwal (the tenth month in the lunar Islamic calendar).

The normal schedule of most Muslims during Eid is much the same. Families usually start the day with an early wake-up and morning prayers inside their home or at a nearby mosque.

Traditions

This is then followed by a lunchtime feast with friends and family to reflect on the previous month of Ramadan. It's also customary to exchange gifts with your loved ones and donate to the less fortunate during this time. And, of course, mutually bless each other "Eid Mubarak," which means "happy Eid."

Muslims traditionally ask for forgiveness from their elders for any wrongs committed during the year. More visits are made to see relatives and friends, where home-cooked feasts await.

Gourmet feast

Eid al-Fitr means new beginnings and it is considered auspicious to eat something sweet in order to kick-start the holy day, hence the name Meethi Eid. Here are some Eid special desserts.

Sevaiyan is the most special dessert that is enjoyed during this festival. There are two kinds of sevaiyan desserts that are widely prepared on this day- ksheer, which is the milky and denser version of sevaiyan and kimami sevaiyan, which is the dry version. People start cooking these desserts a night before the big day, no wonder the taste of this amazing sweet is delicious.

Dates have a special significance during the holy month of Ramzan. Most people break their roza or fast by eating dates. In fact, most of them like to cook a traditional khajur ka halwa to celebrate these new beginnings. All you need is seedless dates, milk, powdered sugar, ghee, cashew nuts and elaichi powder to make this sumptuous dessert.

On this note, Haitel would like to wish all muslims Eid Mubarak and may Allah bless you with happiness, and grace your home with warmth and peace.