Eid ul-Fitr Observance November 4, 2005

Carleton College will observe the Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, the end of the Muslim month-long fast of Ramadan, on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m. in Severance Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Eid ul-Fitr commemorates the end of the month of Ramadan. Fasting is forbidden on the day and Muslims are encouraged to rise early and partake of some dates or a light, sweet snack, significant because they have abstained from all food and drink from dawn to dusk for the past 30 days. Muslims also are encouraged to dress in their best clothes, new if possible, and to attend a special Eid prayer service that is performed in congregation at mosques or open areas like fields and squares. It may come as a surprise to non-Muslims that many Muslims feel a sense of loss or sadness at the passing of Ramadan.

While Eid ul-Fitr is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the western Gregorian calendar varies from year to year due to differences between the two calendars, as the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. The method used to determine when each Islamic month begins varies from country to country.
For more information and disability accommodations, call the Carleton Chaplain?s office at (507) 646-4003.