United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Eid-ul-Fitr being a Muslim festival, it is predominantly celebrated in the Islamic countries. In the UAE, it is observed with the greatest fanfare. During the holiday, adult men as well as young boys dress themselves up in traditional white dresses complete with the long white traditional thoub and the "Ogal", which is a check patterned scarf attached with a black ring like turban, and offer prayers in the mosque. All over the country, special festive fairs are organised that are thronged by excited celebrants along with their dear ones. Women have a merry time painting their hands with traditional "henna". It is a highly enertaining time for children as they enjoy the performances of clowns and jugglers.
Gift-giving is an insperable tradition of Eid. While adults gift new clothes, sweets and other gift items to one another,
children also receive small sums of money (known as "Eidi") from their elders.
Iran
In Iran, Eid is better known as "Eyde Fetr". Most of the Iran population happen to be Shiaites and hence, the festival is celebrated in each household in a much personal way. But public observances are of course, very much there. The occassion witnesses prayer services being held in every mosque in the country and even in public places. After the strict Ramadan time with all its austerities, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time for grand feasts and celebrations. Meat is enjoyed during this time and often a young lamb or calf is sacrificed for the occasion, a custom known as "Qurbani" which is practiced mainly in affluent households. But the festive mood in no way overshadows the religious spirit, which is kept alive through charitable acts. Traditionally, each Muslim family gives food to needy persons during this time. The payment of "fitrah" or "fetriye" is obligatory for each Muslim.
Turkey
Here Eid-ul-Fitr is known as Seker Bayrami ("Bayram of Sweets") or Ramazan Bayrami ("Ramadan Bayram") and is observed as a public holiday. Educational institutions and government offices are generally closed during the entire time of the celebrations. In the whole of Turkey, people dress up in "Bayramlik" (clothes specially bought for the Eid festivities) and attend prayer services, visit their friends, relatives and loved ones and proceed to cemeteries to pay their respects to the departed souls. An important Eid custom is kissing the right hand of elderly citizens and placing it on one's forehead while expressing wishes like "Bayraminiz Kutlu Olsun" ("May Your Bayram Be Celebrated"), "Mutlu Bayramlar" ("Happy Bayram"), or "Bayraminiz Mubarek Olsun" (May Your Bayram Be Holy"). This is done as a mark of respect towards old age. The occassion sees little kids going from house to house and wishing everyone a happy festive time in return for which they are presented with small sums of money or little treats like chocolates, candies or
traditional sweets such as "Baklava" and "Turkish Delight".
India
With around 16 percent of the Indian population constituting of Muslims, it is natural that India celebrates the festival with great enthusiasm. In India, Eid is considered as a national holiday. The centre of the celebrations is undoubtedly the great mosque Jama Masjid in New Delhi which is thronged by thousands of Muslims during Eid-ul-Fitr, all eager to offer their prayers. Various sweets and special delicacies, particularly the special Eid dish 'Siwaiyaan'(a dish of fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk & dried fruit), are available in different forms and colors in markets, especially those in the Muslim areas, to make Eid sweeter for its celebrants.
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