Just one night before the big holiday, at the end of the month of Ramadan, one of the most beloved months of the Muslim believers, everyone is ready. Eid day should be a really big holiday, where we celebrate the achievements of this month and not be a hostage day that we failed to use the blessings of this month.
Every noble family experiences the noble month of Ramadan differently. Holding iftars for friends, family and benefactors is a religious tradition that Albanians have inherited from generation to generation, as part of hospitality and brotherhood. Afterwards, meetings and visits after iftar for tea and coffee are also known as traditional, where there is no lack of sweets.
The night before Eid is called the dinner before Eid, which is spent preparing Eid dishes, cleaning the house, making plans for how the Eid holiday will go. Delivery of Fitr (a lot of money or food for people in need for the celebration of Eid) is done on this night for the need of the needy to eat on the day of Eid. Tradition has also been the purchase of new clothes for children, who in the morning found them either at the foot of the bed, or under the pillow. The falling of the drums announcing the opening of iftar on the day of Eid begins after the Fajr prayer. Lodraxhiu was someone who did it voluntarily and as a result, he became part of the kurban and the Eid food. In the early hours of the morning, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr begins with the forgiveness of Sabah. For all Muslims,
Preparations for the holiday
Preparations for the Eid al-Fitr holiday start the day before. In the evening the housewives are engaged to prepare the dishes that will be consumed the next day, when the holiday will be celebrated. Most attention is paid to sweets. The most used cake in Muslim families is baklava, but other cakes are not excluded. Halva, kadaif, trileçe, etc. can be cooked according to preference. Early in the morning the body should be washed and the most beautiful or new clothes and ornaments should be worn. Before leaving the house, it is preferable to eat dessert or dates to show that this day is a holiday and there is no more sacrifice of fasting. Then, all the believers at the appointed time pray the Eid prayer collectively.
Holiday menu
This holiday as well as that of Eid al-Adha are the biggest holidays of the Muslim calendar, therefore the setting of the table is given special importance. Of course, the presence of meat is indisputable at a festive table in Albania. During this feast it is not obligatory to make a sacrifice, so believers can buy the slaughtered meat. Lamb is more preferred, but also beef or poultry find spaces to be included in the menu of this holiday. Lamb can be cooked in the oven accompanied by garnish. There are also seasonal fruits on the table.
Visits to relatives
During the celebration of this holiday, after a month of sacrifices, believers tend to establish a stronger bond between each other. Therefore, after the morning prayer, they exchange visits between relatives. Usually, symbolic gifts are exchanged during these visits. It is said that all members of the family gathered and ate the Eid al-Fitr lunch at the home of their parents, older sisters or brothers.
Doing sadaqah
Giving something to those who do not have it is a very significant act during the celebration of the feast of Eid al-Fitr. This holiday itself is associated with the act of donation. Giving sevap or alms can be in income or in food. More food, whole lamb, etc. can be cooked. Some of the food we consume with relatives during the Eid lunch, another part we distribute to the neighbors and another part we forgive to families in need or orphans who can not sit at a table to celebrate.
A great feast for the soul of the believer, always enjoyed!
