Islamic religious festivals and celebrations:
Celebrated with great feasts, family gatherings, music, and street processions, Muslim festivals are joyous occasions. The largest of the Muslim festivals are Eid al-Fitr, which takes place at the end of Ramadan, the month of ritual fasting, and Eid al-Adha, which marks the time of the pilgrimage to Mecca. Other Muslim festivals include the Moulid an-Nabi which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, Ras as-Sana, the Islamic New Year, and various saints’ name days known as moulids.
What festivals do Islam celebrate?
Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar has twelve months, each with 29 or 30 days. Purely lunar based, the Islamic year is around 11 days shorter than that of the Western calendar. Because Islam relies on actual sightings of the crescent moon at a given place, it is difficult to give dates in advance. Local Islamic centers will be able to provide the dates for the current year.
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) July 31, 2020
Eid al-Adha This four-day festival marks the time of the Haj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered one of the most famous Islamic festivals
This is undoubtedly the great day of the Muslim calendar. The festival revolves around the sacrifice of an animal that is offered to Allah, usually a lamb or a cow. In this way, the Old Testament passage is recreated in which God intercedes to save the life of Ishmael, son of the prophet Abraham. This festivity takes place on the tenth day of the month of zil-hajj
Ras as-Sana ( Hijri New Year )
Ras as-Sana: The Islamic equivalent of New Year’s Day and quite a low-key affair and celebrated by Muslims every year.
Prophet’s Birthday October 29, 2020
Moulid an-Nabi Birth of the Prophet and one of the major holidays of the year. The streets burst into color and noise with the celebrations. It is one of the most important festivals for Muslims.
Ramadan April 24, 2020
Ramadan The ninth month of the Muslim calendar when most Muslims observe a degree of fasting and abstinence. The Iftar, or breaking of the fast, occurs every evening when the sun sets.
This is the celebration of the revelation of the Koran as a guide to life for Muslims. Ramadan varies according to the lunar and Islamic calendar and is celebrated in the ninth month of the year accordingly. During the course of this month, Muslims fast until 7 pm, when the sun sets, and then break their fast with a feast that lasts until 3 am, when the sun rises.
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, so it is forbidden to drink alcohol or have sex.
The adapted timetable during Ramadan means that cities have a new life, as shops, restaurants, cafés and even markets are open until 3 am. In addition, the atmosphere generally becomes much more familiar, and it is common to receive invitations to iftar together.
What is Ramadan like in Egypt? Is it advisable to travel during this time?
Ramadan in Egypt is quite rightly the most important holiday in the country, but is it advisable to travel during this time? Of course, it is. In fact, it’s one of the best dates for it. During the celebration of Ramadan, the streets are lit up and you can walk around after midnight.
Eid al-Fitr
The end of Ramadan and the signal for a joyous, three-day feast.
The Abu Haggag Moulid
This Egyptian festival is dedicated to the patron saint of Luxor: Abu el Haggag. Horse racing, dance, music, and drums are the highlights of this festival in Egypt.
First of Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and in it, it is forbidden to fight: its name derives from haram, “forbidden”, and some pious Muslims fast for the entire month, just as they do during Ramadan.
Lailat al Miraj March 22, 2020
Lailat al Miraj (Muhammad’s ascension to heaven): On this day, we celebrate the ascension of the prophet Muhammad to the Jannah (heaven), helped by two angels. the celebrations begin on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Lailat al Miraj on the sunset of Saturday, March 21, 2020
Waqf al Arafa July 29,2020
Arafat Day for the year 2020 is celebrated/observed at sunset on Wednesday 29 July and ends at sunset on Thursday 30 July.
Moulid of Sayeda Zeinab
A popular festival held in honor of Sayeda Zeinab, her grandfather the prophet Mohammed, this festival brings together one million people from different parts of the Arab world.
Enjoy this video about Islamic festivals
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