EID AL FITR

Today marks Eid Al Fitr, the end of the holliest month for millions of our brother msulims all over the world. The word "eid" means "festivity" and "fitr" to break a fast in Arabic and it is common to hear greetings for the holiday like "Eid Mubarak!" or "Blessed Eid", "Eid Saeed!" or "Happy Eid!" and "Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair!" or "May every year find you in good health!".

The day before Eid al-Fitr families typically donate food such as rice, barley or dates, to the less well off. The donation is known as "sadaqah al-fitr" or charity of fast-breaking. Eid itself marks the first day of the Islamic calendar's month of Shawwal.

Today, Eid itself, families wake early on the day of celebration, eat a small meal before attending special prayers at mosques, arenas or stadiums, and then go on to feast at friends or relatives' houses, although hotels and restaurants also organize lavish end of Eid spreads. It is also a day for asking for forgiveness and visiting graves.

Eid is low-key in most non-Islamic countries, but for the first time this year New York's Empire State Building will be lit up in green to honor the festival, as green symbolizes a happy occasion in Islamic culture.

Today brought back memories of my Adamson days, when my muslim classmates would tell us about ramadan and eid and the preparations they have to undertake for this holliest of months for their faith. I miss my mulsim classmates like Ansano Ali and Alenon Datuharon. I hope they are well and in good spirits.

To our brother muslims all over the world, May every year find you in good health!

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information about the Eid courtesy of Reuters and FactBox.