Eid al-Fitr, also known as 'Festival of Breaking the Fast', is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Muslims across the globe, including in Ivory Coast, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a time of joy and celebration, wherein Muslims gather for communal prayers, share meals, and give to charity as an obligatory act known as Zakat al-Fitr. The exact date of Eid al-Fitr varies each year depending on the sighting of the moon.
In Ivory Coast, a country with a significant Muslim population, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday that is marked with various fanfare and celebratory activities. On this day, people dress in new or their best clothing and attend special prayer services at mosques or open prayer grounds. The festivities involve getting together with family and friends, exchanging gifts and enjoying special meals. Traditional Ivorian dishes are prepared and shared with loved ones.
Charitable giving is also a crucial part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Ivory Coast. It is customary for families to give to the less fortunate, ensuring that they too can partake in the festivities of this joyous day. Often, new clothes are given to people who cannot afford them. Apart from these rituals and practices, Ivory Coast also holds social events such as music and dance performances, and games, in public squares and courtyards, highlighting the cultural richness of the country.