Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Hindu Festival of Light
Oct 14 : 03 days to Diwali

Did you know that Hinduism is the third largest religion, with over one billion adherents?

Christianity and Islam outpace Hinduism in worldwide numbers with 2.1 billion Christians and 1.5 million Muslims.

Diwali, or the “festival of lights” is celebrated by Hindus across India and the huge Hindu diaspora spread all over the world. This multi-day festival, whose name literally means “row of lighted lamps“, is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm between late October and November. It’s their most important festival in the annual calendar. Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Diwali.

Diwali begins Saturday October 17th, 2009

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Eid-Al-Fitr / Eid ul-Fitr / EID (Celebrating the Fast – Islamic)
Almost two billion Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr (eed al-fitter), the three-day festival commonly known as “Eid.” “Eid ul-Fitr” literally means the feast of the breaking/to break the fast. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

Eid-Al-Fitr began last night at sunset

source: Ramadan on the Net - Eid ul-Fitr

photo credit: EID Prayers – Ashish T via flikr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Ramadan &
the Islamic Faith
September 19-20

Did you know that the end of the month of Ramadan is marked with a joyous festival called Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr (EID) literally means the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” during which many Muslims partake in elaborate feasts. They also wear their finest clothes, exchange gifts, while simultaneously increasing their almsgiving.

EID begins tonight, Sept. 19, at sunset. EID MUBARAK!

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The White House has released the following statement from President Barack Obama to mark the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr:

“As Muslims in the United States and around the world complete the month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, Michelle and I would like to extend our personal greetings on this joyous occasion. Eid is a time to celebrate the completion of 30 days and nights of devotion. But even on this festive occasion, Muslims remember those less fortunate, including those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease. Throughout the month, Muslim communities collect and distribute zakat-ul-fitr so that all Muslims are able to participate in this day of celebration. As I said in Cairo, my Administration is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year. On behalf of the American people, we congratulate Muslims in the United States and around the world on this blessed day. Eid Mubarak.”

From the Whitehouse.gov Blog:

Over the past month, the President and several government Agencies participated in events to mark Ramadan ? the President continued the tradition of hosting an Iftar here at the White House while the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted the first in their history. The Corporation for National and Community Service spearheaded “Interfaith Service Week” as part of the President and First Lady?s Summer of Service initiative and many other groups and individuals came together to make this month a time of giving and reaching out to our neighbors in need.

The President and the First Lady extend their personal greetings on this special day. May you be well throughout the year.

Today, Secretary Clinton delivered a message for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Here is the transcript of the Secretary’s remarks:

“Hello, and Eid Mubarak. I’m delighted to celebrate the end of Ramadan by wishing all of you a happy Eid. In 1996, my husband and I were privileged to host the first ever White House Eid celebration, which has now become a tradition. And this year, I hosted an Iftar at the State Department, with Muslims and non-Muslims attending. We hope that reinforces every year that all faiths have a home here in the United States.

For Muslims all over the world, Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of a holy month of fasting and prayer. This time of self-reflection reminds us that the values of Islam – charity, community, cooperation, compassion – are values which we hold dear as Americans and which have contributed so much to American culture.

As President Obama said in Cairo, the United States seeks a new beginning with Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect. We know there is more that unites peoples of faith than divides us. So as Ramadan draws to a close, let us hold on to that spirit of community throughout the year to achieve our common goals of peace, prosperity, and stability. And I wish all of you a very happy year as well. Thank you.”

Visit the State Department’s Blog for transcript translations in these languages:
Arabic, Indonesia, Chinese, Dari, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Malay, Pashto, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, & Urdu

Laylat-al-Qadr (Lailat ul Qadr, Lailat-ul Qadr – Night of Power)
The Muslim holiday of Laylat-al-Qadr known in English as the Night of Power, falls during the month of Ramadan and marks one of the most significant historical events in all of Islam.

Laylat-al-Qadr marks the night that the prophet Muhammad received his first Divine Revelation, which contained the first verses of the Quran.

Source: Ramadan on the Net - Laylat-al-Qadr: The Night of Power

“Have a good time but remember
There is danger in the summer moon above
Will I see you in September
Or lose you to a summer love”

<Sigh> Our summer flings fun times are now over and its time to get back to the real world. <groan>

And the big celebration this month is back to school. Or at least it is for a lot of parents, who are celebrating big time this month! Why you can almost hear the cheers from here!

Free at last,
Free at last,
Thank G-d almighty,
we’re free at last!

So with the summer behind us, its time to get back into the holiday swing of things. There’s lots going on this month as we start the countdown to the upcoming holiday season!

Among the holidays this month we’ll be observing the celebrations of US Labor Day (Sept. 07), the Islamic festival of Eid ul-Fitr (EID) (September 20), Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year – begins sundown Sept. 18), and the Jewish solemn day of fasting Yom Kippur (begins sundown Sept. 27).

And with all this to look forward too, September begins with our absolute favorite daily holiday of the year – Chicken Boy’s Birthday!! (And isn’t it appropriate that its National Chicken Month!)

While September is the 9th month of the year, it originally was the seventh month. In fact September is named for septem – the number seven.

Days: 30
Birthstone: Sapphire
Flower: Aster
Season: Summer, Fall
Horoscope: Virgo, Libra

Ramadan (Islamic)
With the sighting of the cresent moon last night, Mulsims around the world began the observance of Ramadan.

Observed by more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.

Celebrated during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam. The Islamic belief that requires that Muslims perform five central duties in order to strengthen their faith. While Islam has two major sects, the Sunnis and the Shiites, all Muslims aim to realize these five pillars in their lifetime.

Ramadan concludes with a 3-day festival known as “Eid” or “Eid ul-Fitr,” which literally means “the feast of the breaking/to break the fast.” The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

Ramadan Mubarak!

For more information visit our Ramadan celebration – Ramadan on the Net

Did You Know?
August 22

It’s Ramadan!

Thanks for joining us as as we counted down to the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. Come back and join us again for another “Did You Know” holiday countdown!

Ramadan Mubarak,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

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Ramadan (Islamic)
With the sighting of the cresent moon tonight (depending where you live), Mulsims around the world will begin their observance of Ramadan.

Observed by more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a month-long spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join our celebration of the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification through fasting, prayer and self-sacrifice.

Muslims around the world daily observe the fast of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. Visit Ramadan on the Net to learn more about fasting and other traditions of Ramadan, such as the Eid ul-Fitr feast, which marks the conclusion of this holy month.

If you are new to the study of Islam, come read more about the Prophet Muhammad, the five pillars of the faith (one of which is fasting on Ramadan), and the Holy Qur’an from Holidays on the Net.

You can also learn more about Muslim terminology, such as the difference between Muslim and Islam or Sunni and Shiite. And discover why the weather affects the start of Ramadan. Then come test your knowledge with our Did You Know ? trivia quiz, highlighting facts and figures about the Islamic faith.

If you have young children at home, be sure to enjoy our Ramadan coloring pictures (perfect for homeschoolers!) And don’t forget to share some Internet greetings with your loved ones with our free Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr e-cards.

Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair! (May every year find you in good health!)

(This year, the first day of fasting in North America will begin on August 22nd)