Muslims in Kerala are set to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr on Friday (March 20), marking the end of the month-long fast observed during Ramzan. Islamic judges, known as Kazis across the state, confirmed the festival after observing the new moon of the Islamic month of Shawwal after Iftar on Thursday (March 19), the 29th day of Ramzan.
Known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated as a time of gratitude, prayer and community spirit. On Friday morning, special Id prayers will be held in mosques and open spaces known as Id Gahs.
While traditional Muslim groups will attend prayers in mosques, reformist groups such as Mujahideen or Salafis and Jamaat-e-Islami prefer Id Gahs, where women and children also participate in congregational prayers.
On Thursday evening, people were seen distributing bags of rice as Zakat-ul-Fitr, the obligatory charity at the end of Ramzan.
Unlike regular Zakat (charity), Zakat-ul-Fitr is intended as an immediate relief to meet the needs of the poor in the Muslim community on the day of Id. According to scholars, this form of charity is obligatory for every Muslim regardless of age, gender or wealth.
This time the celebrations in Kerala will coincide with those in West Asian Arab countries where thousands of Keralites work. However, restrictions imposed by some Gulf countries on mass gatherings and outdoor celebrations due to Iran’s ongoing war in the region have taken a shine off the Gulf festival.
Madin Academy Chairman and Kerala Muslim Jamaat General Secretary Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari in his Id message described the festival as a spiritual victory after a month of fasting, patience and sacrifice. He called on people to stand by those facing hardships.
Published – 19 March 2026 21:06 IST
