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  • Thursday, 26 November 2009
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Eid al Fitr a Time of Celebration

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This November, American Muslims will celebrate Thanksgiving, one of the great American holidays. But first they are celebrating Eid al Fitr, or the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic faith.

Eid al Fitr, which means, "celebrating the breaking of the fast," is a festive time for Muslim families who are ending a month of daily fasting, night prayers and charitable activities.

Muslim-Americans from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds gather in huge numbers to perform Eid prayers in large facilities such as convention or exposition centers.

The Eid prayers are performed across the United States in the early morning of the day after Ramadan, after which Muslim men, women and children have a chance to exchange good wishes and enjoy the feeling of community.

Most Muslim Americans have maintained the same festivities of Eid al Fitr in the U.S. as they did in their countries of origin: They enjoy ethnic food, provide their children with fun activities and new clothes, and pay visits to each other.

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