Muslim communities across Nepal are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.
The festival, which falls on the first day of the tenth month according to the Arabic calendar, is observed by reciting Namaz, offering prayers in mosques, seeking blessings from elders, and exchanging greetings with loved ones.
Chairperson Samim Mian Ansari of the Muslim Commission shared that Eid was decided to be celebrated today, as the moon was not sighted on Wednesday, signaling the end of Ramadan’s 30-day fast.
In Islam, Ramadan is considered a sacred month, with practices such as fasting and giving Zakat (donations) emphasized as acts of virtue.
The five pillars of Islam – Roza (fasting), Zakat (charity), Hajj (pilgrimage), Namaz (prayer), and Kalama (declaration of faith) – hold significant importance, with Ramadan being a time for devout observance and reflection.
Eid-ul-Fitr festivities include communal prayers, feasting on delicacies like Sevai, and the exchange of Eid Mubarak greetings and gifts among families and friends.
According to the National Census-2078, the Muslim community shares 5.9 percent of the total population of Nepal. Noting the data was incomplete, Ansari said the commission was planning to study the social, economic, political, cultural and educational conditions of the Muslim community and submit the actual details to the government.
However, concerns persist regarding the lack of spacious meeting halls for Namaz and cultural activities in mosques, particularly in Kathmandu.