Eid cuisine across the globe

In his poem Krishaker Eid, poet Kazi Nazrul Islam reflects the true spirit of Eid when he writes, “We will fast and break our fast together, then it will be Eid - a true celebration.”

Eid-ul-Fitr comes around each year, offering social harmony and peace among Muslims across the world. Eid also brings joy and festivity to each and every member of the Muslim community, irrespective of caste, creed and colour. Going back to Nazrul, he says in his the most popular song on Eid day, “Forget who are friends and who are foes this day, and grasp the hands of all."

Eid is determined by the lunar calendar and so it is not celebrated on exactly the same day the world over. Though the festival comes up after a month-long fast in accordance to Islamic lore, the celebrations vary from one nation to another. It varies in attire to food, in keeping with the culture of the respective nations. Eid-ul-Fitr sees huge variety of Eid delicacies across the globe.

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, where 90 per cent of more than 160 million people are Muslims, Eid is one of the biggest festivals. On Eid day, Bangladeshi Muslims visit their relations and share traditional Eid food with them. In the morning, breakfast consists of the most popular ‘shemai’ or ‘sewai’, locally made sweet, before attending Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. Shemai is a sweet dish of vermicelli, normally cooked in milk, though there is variety of shemai and shemai recipes.

India and Pakistan

Neighbouring India, where nearly 180 million people are Muslim, and Pakistan, where 97 per cent of 193 million people follow Islam, share nearly same Eid-day cuisine. In India and Pakistan, ‘shemai’ is called ‘sevaiyan’ or ‘sevaiyan-ki-kheer’. It is a popular dessert among the Muslims in the two nations, too.

Yemen

Yemen is a country of 27 million Muslims. On Eid day, Yemenis gather at the home of their family heads. They have a huge variety of Eid food, too. ‘Bint alsahan’ is the most popular course on Eid day. ‘Bint alsahan’ is a sweet dish.

Russia

In Russia, where 16 million Muslims live, they prefer a bit more spicy items on Eid day. Russian Muslims have breakfast on Eid with a bite of ‘manti’, made of seasoned lamb or beef. Manti, cooked in a steamer, is garnished with either butter or onions on top.

Syria

Syria is a home of 20 million Muslims. Mamounia, a homemade pudding, is the most popular food on Eid day in the country. Mamounia can be served either hot or cold.

Egypt

As many as 80 million Muslims live in Egypt, where Muslims break their fast on Eid morning with dates and a glass of milk. The most popular Eid food is called ‘kahk’, which is also called Ka’ak al-Eid.  Kakh is a round biscuit.

Malaysia

Malaysia is country of 19 million Muslims. Malaysian Muslims are famous for a large number of traditional foods. Sweets are dominant items on Eid day. Sweetmeat and deserts called ‘kuih-muih’, also known as ‘manisan’, is the most favorite item for Malaysian celebrators. 

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a home of 29 million Muslims. The Afghan housewives prepare ‘bolani’ on Eid day. Bolani, also called ‘poraki’, is actually a flatbread. Bolani is either baked or fried with vegetable filling.

Sudan

Sudan is a country of 33 million Muslims. Sudanese Muslims break their fast eating ‘aseeda’, which is made of wheat and eaten with tomato sauce.

China

China has 20 million Muslims. They offer ‘you xiang’ to their Eid day guests. ‘You xiang’ is a flour-based food. It is a kind of snack.

Somalia

If you pay a visit to any home of the 10 million Somalis on Eid day, they will probably offer you ‘caambabur’. The delicious ‘caambabur’, which is the most favourite course on Eid day, is a flour-based dessert.

Morocco

Nearly ninety-nine per cent Moroccans are Muslims. Moroccans prefer sweet courses on Eid day. For breakfast on Eid, Moroccans enjoy ‘laasida’. ‘Laasida’ is a kind of fragrant rice pudding.

Indonesian

Indonesia is the largest Muslim nation with nearly 225 million followers of Islam. Indonesian Muslims prepare plenty of food on Eid day. The delicious ‘lapis legit’ is the most popular dish on Eid day.

UK

The United Kingdom has a large Muslim population, the home of more than 2 million Muslims. Biriyani is a great favourite among the Muslims of UK.

Eid celebrations around the world vary in certain ways from country to country, but feasting after the month-long fast is a common factor. Delicious food is a vital part of the celebrations.