Mainly two official holidays are seen in Islam. Both the holidays occur on dates in the Islamic calendar. Eid- Al – Fitr and Eid Al- adha.The first one is celebrated at the end of Ramdan, and the second one is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu-al-Hijjah which lasts for four days.
Muslim people sacrifice a sheep and distribute its meat in three parts among their family, friends and the poor in the festival of Eid Al-Adha which is known as Bakri Eid also.
The Islamic calendar is based on syndic period of the Moon’s revolution around the Earth. Ramadan is the holy month for Muslim people. They fast from dawn to sunset as a devotion to the commandment of Allah.
People with chronic diseases, travelers and pregnant women are exempt from fasting during this period. Eid is celebrated for three days.
Muslims are encouraged on these days to forgive and forget all differences with other people that happened all the whole year. Traditionally, it is the day when the crescent moon can be viewed for the first time shortly after sunset.
| Buddhist Calendar | Sikh Calendar | Hindu Calendar |
| Muslim Calendar | Christian Calendar | Jewish Calendar |
| Bahai Calendar | Rastafari Calendar | Zoroastrian Calendar |
| Pagan Calendar | Jain Calendar | Shinto Calendar |
Common Greetings, special delicious meal and the dispense money or gifts from the elders which is known as Eiddi are traditional for this festival. All school, college, university, court office are closed during this festival. Their common greeting is” Eid Mubarak. “They wear new clothes, greet each other and enjoy three days welcoming guests, friends and relatives.
| Name of festival | Date of festival | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lailat Al Miraj | 3rd April, 2024 | Lailat al miraj the exact date is unknown to Muslims. They are discouraged to celebrate this festival. They believe this night one angel come to the prophet washed his abdomen and filled the heart with wisdom. He was allowed to see god directly. This festival is observed by Muslims as one of the most important event. |
| Lailat Al Bara’ah | 20th April, 2024 | On this occasion all the Sunni Muslims forgive each other and debts owed by them are settled. They humbly do all the pious deeds as they presented in all dignity. The auspicious night for them. A festive day replete with sweets treats and works of charity for solemn and focused on prayer strings of light and candle illuminate the night. |
| Ramdan | 5th May, 2024 | Millions of Muslims around the world mark the start of Ramadan where they observe many rites and rituals and pray intensively. The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to god. They often donate to the charities during this time and also feed the beggars. Muslims break their fast with a sip of water and some dates at sunset. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims all across the globe abstain from all edibles of any form, even fluids; and many other physical needs during the daylight hours. It is believed to purify the soul, and to help the person refocus on Allah solely. They take an entire month out of their lives to observe the strict fast during Ramadan, every parts of body must be restrained. |
| Lailat al kadr | 31st May, 2024 | Regional moon sighting may cause a variation day of Islamic holidays. Muslims believe that The holy book Quran was disclosed by Muhammad from Allah. They often extra prayers at night and hope their supplications will be accepted on this night. |
| Quds day | 31st May, 2024 | It is officially called International Quds day. An annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan. They celebrate the event characteristically by putting on public display of posters and images of the holy city of Jerusalem. |
| Eid ul Fitr | 4 June, 2024 | It is an important religious holiday celebrated by Islam people. This festival lasts for three days. Muslims in the United States are gain recognition of Eid ul -fitr, one of their main festival as an officially holiday. Special community prayers start in the morning, after then greet each other from older to younger and visit their closed one’s homes. The giving of a special charity for this occasion obligatory. |
| Waqf al arafa | 10 August, 2024 | It is the holiest day of Islam. It is the second day of Hajj pilgrimage and the after day of major Islamic holiday Eid ul- adha. This is the day where the pilgrims assemble on the plain of “Arafah.” Muslim observance day during Hajj when pilgrimage pray for mercy and forgiveness. |
| Eid Al Adha | 11th August, 2024 | The Eid al adha prayer is performed anytime after the sun rising completely. It is a festival of sacrifice. Each year Muslims celebrated this festival worldwide. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided in three parts. The celebrations start after the descent of Hujjaj. The day begins with morning prayers, followed by visit to family and friends and exchange of food and gifts. |
| Al – Hijra /Muharram | 31st August, 2024 | It is the Islamic New Year. Muharram has the significant religious importance for Muslims. Each year it falls in different day as the Islamic calendar is eleven or twelve days shorter than the solar calendar used in Western Countries. It is the holy month of Islam and unlawful acts are forbidden. The holiday has difference significance both the Shia and Sunni Muslims. |
| Ashura | 9th September, 2024 | This day is celebrated by Shiya Muslims as the day on which the Israelites were freed from the Pharoah. Shia Muslims have ever remembered with sorrow and passion. This day is of particular significance of twelve Shia’s who considered Husayn the third Imam to be the rightful successor of Muhammad. Asurah is an Islamic holiday observed in the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar. |
| Mawlid al – Nabi | 9th November, 2024 | Birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Not all Muslims celebrate this day, however. Like Saudi Arab do not publically recognize the holiday. The date is marked with songs and poems in honor of the Prophet Muhammad. Cities are often decorated and many distribute sweets and candy to the children. Tradition varies by country to country. |