Overshadowed by the Gaza war, the holy month of Ramadan is ending for millions of Muslims worldwide. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, declared this Wednesday the start of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. Muslims also celebrate this day in many other countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
The end of the fasting month depends on the sighting of the new moon. At the so-called sugar festival, children in particular receive gifts and sweets.
Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan
During the Muslim month of fasting, which began at the beginning of March this year, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is one of the five basic obligations for Muslims. It is estimated that there are around 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. Most of them live in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wished the Muslims in Germany a happy and blessed festival of breaking the fast after the deprivation of Ramadan. “Ramadan and breaking the fast are part of the diverse religious life in Germany,” he wrote in a greeting message in Berlin on Tuesday. “The fact that today, at the end of the fasting month, Muslim communities all over the country are inviting their fellow human beings of other faiths is an important sign of tolerance and respect and of the willingness to work together and exchange ideas.”