July 17th Muslims in Ukraine celebrate Eid al-Fitr
The mosque of the Islamic Cultural Center of Kyiv will welcome more than 3,000 believers this day. Among the expected guests are members of the community, diplomats of Muslim countries, theologians and internally displaced Muslims from the Crimea and Donbas.
Eid al-Fitr, a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, is one of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar. The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan Ukrainian Muslims paid a charity to the needy, known as Zakat al-Fitr. In the month of Ramadan good deeds of a Muslim are of much more importance than on ordinary days.
On Eid al Fitr Ukrainian Muslim communities give dinners, invite guests and visit cemeteries to pay respect to the dead. Children however are especially happy about the holiday. On this day they are given sweets and presents.
