How Eid Is Celebrated in Arabic Countries
The Significance of Eid in the Arab World
Millions of Muslims around the world celebrate Eid occasions every year. These special times in the Islamic calendar are not just a holiday but a time of joy, gratitude to Allah, and observing key Islamic rituals.
Across the Arab and Muslim world, communities prepare weeks in advance for these happy occasions. They anticipate every Eid with great joy as they are practicing the act of worship connected to it. Eid Al-Fitr, for example, is preceded by Ramadan, the month of fasting, and Eid Al-Adha follows or occurs during Hajj to Mecca, where pilgrims from all around the world visit the holy city and perform Hajj rituals. This explains the festival nature of these times which many are excited to celebrate.
It’s true that the spirit of Eid is shared everywhere, but the way people in different countries celebrate these occasions carries unique cultural touches that make each country’s traditions unique and unforgettable.
One of the ways that is shared by almost everyone celebrating Eid is through eid greetings. Families and friends exchange beautiful Eid wishes in Arabic that spread joy, blessings, and love. These phrases carry warmth that connects people across generations and regions.
Common Eid Traditions Across Arabic Countries
Family Gatherings and Prayers
One of the warmest and most anticipated traditions in Eid is the Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid), which takes place early in the morning. It is the first gathering that brings families and neighbors together in mosques and open prayer grounds. The event is filled with joy as people dress in new clothes and greet each other with special Eid greetings, such as Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid).
Traditional Foods and Sweets
Eid celebration is not complete without special dishes and treats. Families work together in preparing sweets at home, like ma’amoul (cookies filled with dates or nuts), which are served to guests with coffee. Other famous dishes in the Levant are Baklava and Kanafeh.
In Eid Al-Adha, many dishes and feasts are made with beef from the slaughtered animal in the house. People usually have Kebab, Biryani and Fatteh during this Eid.
Giving Gifts and Charity (Eidiya)
Another beloved custom in Eid is giving Eidiya, which is small sums of money, to children. Charity is also central to Eid; many families give food, clothing, or money to those in need, ensuring the blessings of Eid are shared widely.
Eid Celebrations By Country
Eid in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, Eid is a deeply spiritual and beautifully communal time. Morning begins with Salat al-Eid: families dress in their finest clothes, perfume themselves with oud, recite takbīrāt, and listen to the Eid sermon. After prayers, greetings like “Kul ‘ām wa antum bi-khayr” fill the air as children hand out dates and sweets to fellow worshippers.
Then comes the warmth of family and friends with Arabic coffee poured from dallāhs, platters of ma‘mūl, kuliija, and debaza, and hearty meals featuring dishes like kabsa, mandi, harees, jareesh, marqooq, and masabeeb fill tables across the country.
After lunch, it’s common for families to exchange visits with neighbors, sharing not only greetings but also food. In some regions, households prepare portions of sacrificial meat and deliver them to others in the community—a gesture of generosity and solidarity that reflects the spirit of Eid.
Eid in the United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, Eid mornings look very much the same like other Arab countries with Salat al-Eid bringing together families, friends, and neighbors in mosques. The atmosphere is joyful as people extend warm eid greetings and children wait in their brand-new clothes, ready for the day’s celebrations.
One of the most cherished emirati traditions during Eid is preparing the Eid fuwālah. This is a lavish spread of sweets, dates, fresh fruit, nuts, and Arabic coffee, which are beautifully arranged to welcome guests. The name itself comes from the word fa’l (good omen), reflecting the Emirati value of hospitality and generosity.
The Emirati table includes traditional dishes such as majboos, thareed, balaleet, and biryani, making lunch a true feast. After lunch, relatives visit one another, exchange greetings, and share sweets while children happily collect their Eidiyya.
Eid in Egypt
In Egypt, Eid al-Fitr begins with families heading together to the Eid prayer, where joy and greetings fill the air. One tradition that is unique to Egypt is the “balloon showers” at mosques, delighting children and worshippers after prayers. The day continues with family visits, heartfelt congratulations, and the much-anticipated Eidiyya.
Egyptian tables shine with kahk and biscuits. People also schedule their happy events during Eid, so they throw engagement and wedding parties, doubling the feelings of joy.
Many families also visit cemeteries to pray for loved ones, while others celebrate by going to parks, the Nile, or beaches.
Eid in Morocco
In Morocco, Eid is a beautiful blend of faith, family, and cultural richness. Streets fill with families dressed in traditional attire, while homes welcome guests with trays of sweets, from ka‘b al-ghazal (gazelle horns) and ghriba to honey-dipped msemen and baghrir, always served with Moroccan mint tea. Families gather in the grandparents’ home, keeping doors open for neighbors and relatives to exchange greetings throughout the holiday.
Music adds to the joy, with Andalusian and Amazigh traditions enriching the atmosphere. Unique customs include giving thoughtful gifts like Eidiyya, similar to other Arab countries. There is also “haqq al-melh”, which is a gift from husbands to wives as thanks for their Ramadan efforts and “tafkida”, a gift from the groom’s family to his fiancée. Together, these traditions make Eid in Morocco a celebration of generosity, heritage, and togetherness.
Eid in Jordan
In Jordan, the joy of Eid begins days in advance as families crowd Amman’s markets to buy new clothes, toys, and the essentials of hospitality, especially the ever-present Arabic coffee with cardamom. In the final nights before Eid, barbershops overflow with men and boys lining up for the “Eid” haircut.
After performing Eid prayer in open spaces and mosques, men, women and children gather in the home of the family elder to share breakfast and exchange sweets like ka‘k and ma‘moul.
The much-loved Eidiyya is given to children and women, adding sparkle to the day as little ones rush to buy toys or enjoy outings. Traditional hospitality shines through with the national dish, mansaf, often prepared with jameed from Karak. Across the holiday, Jordanians visit relatives, wander through vibrant markets, and sometimes enjoy special sweets like lazagiyat, a layered pastry found in rural villages.
Eid in Lebanon
In Lebanon, Eid begins with the imams chanting takbīrāt to announce the sighting of the new moon the night before Eid. In the Eid morning, families gather for the Eid prayer. Then they visit the cemetery and pray for their loved ones.
During Eid, Lebanese homes welcome relatives and neighbors, offering trays of Lebanese sweets such as ma‘moul filled with pistachios or dates, baklava, qatayef, namoura, and the beloved halawat al-jibn.
Beyond the cities, Eid is also a time of return as many Lebanese travel back to their ancestral villages. Popular destinations like Sidon and Tripoli buzz with visitors, who enjoy outings to parks, seaside walks, and children’s games.
Unique Cultural Practices in Eid Across the Region
Despite the unique cultural expression of Eid celebrations in each culture around the Arab world, people share the same values and joy at those special times in the year. Those who travel to a different Arab country and spend their Eid there still feel completely at home.
For language learners, celebrating Eid through words is just as meaningful as celebrating through food and family. For instance, one of the most universal gestures of gratitude during Eid is thanking others for their kindness and hospitality. If you’re curious about the many ways Arabic expresses appreciation, explore this guide on how to say thank you in Arabic.
Final Thoughts
Eid in the Arab world brings together sacred Islamic rituals and cultural traditions in a beautiful and unique blend. With the Eid prayer at dawn, ma’moul sweets at dusk, eid wishes and acts of generosity, the celebrations draw people closer to Allah and to their families, communities, and traditions.
So, if you’re visiting an Arab country during Eid or simply learning about it from afar, knowing these practices will give you a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the Islamic holidays. And if you want to make your connection even more personal, start by sharing authentic Arabic greetings and expressions, you’ll find that a simple phrase can open hearts and build bridges.