Today was the first day of Eid Al Fitr around most of the Muslim countries and communities around the world. According to the Hijri calendar, this day marks the end of Ramadan and breaking the fast, which is what the word Fitr means. However, while that is shared between all Muslims, Eid Al Fitr means a lot more than just breaking fast or ending a period and starting a new month. Each Muslim country and Muslim community has some special and remarkable events and acts that they practice during this day as a marks that makes it special for all Muslims to look forward for next year's Eid to celebrate it again. Having said all that, some of our Global Voices authors would like to share with you, how Eid is celebrated in their countries. Here is some excerpts from what authors of Palestine, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Jordan, like to share: In Palestine – Palestinians manage to have the Eid spirit, just as much as occupation allows them to. On Eid you still can see joy in the eyes of children. It is important to create a celebration for kids in Eid. In Tunisia – The closer family then gets together over lunch or dinner at the family house, or the eldest member’s house. The meal in the Tunis area is in most cases either “Mloukhia” or “Madfoona”. In Bangladesh – It is customary to take blessings from the elderly who in return give monetary tips (Eidi). Specially the children are more kin to collect all the tips they can accumulate and have some money to celebrate on their own, like going to theatre in bunch or having a party. In Egypt – You wake up early, go pray a special prayer with family and friends. Up until this stage, as well as the customary follow up breakfast, most Egyptians act cohesively. Divergence starts right after. In Jordan – Eid, to the millions of people that live in the Fertile Crescent, is the sweet smell of freshly baked date-cakes called ‘Ma’mool’, the excitement of the crisp new clothes waiting to be worn, and the aroma of Arabic coffee hovering around the house. Read more details per country Palestine: by Shaden Abdul Rahman Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first of Shawwal, the tenth month in Muslim calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan, during which they have fasted. Ramadan is a holy month because it is the month in which the Holy Qura'an was revealed. Eid has an important aspect, that is charity which Muslims are expected to extend to the needy. In the past years Palestinians spent Eid either mourning a son killed by the Israeli troops or showing solidarity with another family mourning a lost family member. This state of public mourning often leaves no room for Eid as every family grieves over a loved one. Palestinians live in poverty, the majority of them are unable to buy their kids new clothes, toys and gifts. From daily house demolitions to arrests and killing, one would think Palestinians are unable to celebrate Eid, in a way or another, this is true. Nevertheless, Palestinians manage to have the Eid spirit, just as much as occupation allows them to. On Eid you still can see joy in the eyes of children. It is important to create a celebration for kids in Eid. In Eid people visit each other and these visits always include coffee and special baked sweets filled with dates and nuts. Usually when someone dies people just offer Qahwah (coffee), if the person who died is considered as a martyr they will offer sweets. First thing in the morning people especially kids put on their nicest clothes and attend a Eid prayer followed by a sermon. After that prayer, hand-shakes, kisses and hugs peppers the joyful greetings of “kul 3am wa in intum bekheir” (may you enjoy a good health this year and every year). Women who spent the night making baked sweets bring some with them to the mosque and share with the community. After the prayer everyone heads to the cemetry to visit the graves of departed relatives. Woman hands out sweets while men recite Al Fatiha (the opening verse from Qura'an) on the souls of those who died during the conflict with Israel, sweets giving at the cemetry is called “rahmeh“. Muslims also distribute alms and food to the poor. After visiting the cemetry, men visit their female relatives, bringing gifts of money and lingering there to drink coffee or tea and eat more sweets before moving on to the next house. Towns and villages become alive with people going from one house to the next, sharing greetings as they pass one another in the streets and each house invites the passers to come in and have something to eat or drink. Midday meal is a remarkable one during Eid Al Fitr, it usually consists of stuffed lamb (at least for those who still can afford it), or masnaf lamb (lamb meat cooked with yoghurt) or any other combination of meat and rice.