Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak (Arabic: عيد مبارك, Persian/Urdu: عید مُبارک, Malayalam: ഈദ്‌ മുബാറക്‌, Bengali: ঈদ মুবারক) is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. The phrase translates into English as "blessed festival", and can be paraphrased as "may you enjoy a blessed festival" (Eid refers to the occasion itself, and Mubarak means "Blessed")

Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer. This celebration continues until the end of the day for Eid ul-Fitr (or al-Fitr) and continues a further three days for Eid ul-Adha (or Al-Adha). However, in the social sense people usually celebrate Eid ul-Fitr at the same time as Eid ul-Adha, visiting family and exchanging greetings such as "Eid Mubarak".

An exception to this use in the Muslim world is Turkey, where 'Eid Mubarak' is not common at all. Instead, a synonymous phrase "Bayramınız mübarek olsun" is used, alongside with its more Turkicized counterpart, "Bayramınız kutlu olsun", both meaning exactly the same: "May your holiday be blessed". In Pashtun areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Pashto Akhtar de nekmregha sha, meaning "may your festival be blessed" is common. Speakers of Arabic might also add "kul 'am wantum bikhair", which means "[May] you be well every year". It should be noted that exchanging these greetings are a cultural tradition and are not part of any religious obligation.

Throughout the Muslim world there are numerous other greetings for Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. The Companions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad used to say to each other when they met on Eid ul-Fitr: Taqabbalallâhu minnâ wa minkum (which means "[May] God accept from us and you [our fasts and deeds]".

See also

Holiday stamp

External links

• Eid Ul Fitr Celebrations
• Ramadan Timetable 2011