Morocco Marks the End of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr Celebrations
On March 19, Morocco officially concluded the holy month of Ramadan, with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr set to take place on Friday, in alignment with many other Muslim nations. The Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday evening, confirming the end of the lunar month of Ramadan. This announcement was disseminated through the official MAP agency.
Eid al-Fitr, celebrated predominantly for a day, is a festive occasion characterized by communal prayers, charitable donations, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts. In Morocco, the commencement and conclusion of Ramadan are determined through a time-honored tradition where hundreds of imams and local notaries venture across the country to visually spot the crescent moon from prominent locations such as minarets, hills, or schools. If these observers successfully sight the moon, as they did on Thursday, it signifies the end of Ramadan on that very day.
The lunar cycle dictates the start and finish of months in the Islamic calendar, which can consist of either 29 or 30 days, with Ramadan being the ninth month of this sacred calendar. Each Muslim nation establishes its own calendar through unique methods and local expertise; some rely on visual sightings while others utilize technology and scientific methods, which can result in discrepancies of a day in either direction.
Preparations for Eid al-Fitr begin in Morocco several days in advance, as families buy or prepare sweets and shop for new clothes, primarily for children, who are excited to don their new outfits on the day of the celebration. Two days prior, it is customary in Islamic tradition to provide alms to the needy. In the time of the Prophet Muhammad, this consisted of a portion of wheat or barley, but today the Ministry of Islamic Affairs determines a monetary equivalent, typically around two euros per family member.
The day of Eid commences with collective prayers in mosques, where attendees wear colorful long robes or jalabas, followed by family celebrations. This joyous occasion not only marks the end of a significant spiritual journey but also fosters a sense of community and generosity among the people.
As reported by swissinfo.ch.
