Celebrating Eid al-Fitr with KFC MENAPakT

Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating across Team KFC and to the many who are celebrating worldwide!

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan (April 2 – May 2) the most sacred month of the year for millions of Muslims around the world, where time is spent in prayer and fasting from sunrise to sunset. Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” takes place over the days which follow Ramadan – it is a joyous time of celebration, prayer and togetherness for families.

For the past three years, KFC MENAPakT have come together in celebration over food, music, decorations, gifts and more. To learn more about Eid, we sat down with a few of our KFC MENAPakT team members – Asif Ghayas, Operations Manager, Mahmoud ElKarout, Marketing Manager, and Maria Rivera, Quality Assurance Manager.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Asif: Eid is the most joyful reward to break fasting after Ramadan. Eid celebration lasts three days. Family members see each other during Eid. Mostly, everyone pays visit to the eldest in the family.

Mahmoud: Eid al-Fitr (Feast of the Breaking of the Fast) is a great and happy festival that signifies the end of Ramadan when Muslims practice fasting from dawn-to-dusk. Fasting Ramadan is fourth in the five Pillars of Islam, a mandatory act for every able Muslim.

Maria: Eid is a time of celebration after the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. For us, Eid is where family is – it’s the time of the year where we gather our loved ones, spend time together to pray, eat, laugh, have fun and enjoy!

How do you personally recognize or celebrate this holiday?

Asif: Everyone gets cash reward called as ‘Eidi’ from their eldest.  

Mahmoud: Early Eid mornings usually start with Eid Prayer at the mosque. Then it is time of feasting and celebration and the giving of Eidi (Eid gifts) among Muslims and their families.

Maria: On Eid day, we usually wake up very early for a special prayer - wearing new clothes - followed by a traditional breakfast, like sweet vermicelli with milk, and opening of gifts. At home, we have all the decorations light up while the dining table is set with candles and tons of varieties of food!

What do you enjoy most about Eid al-Fitr?

Asif: What I like most about the Eid are the excitement and planning for the kids to collect as much Eidi (cash) as they can; all-time favorite and traditional dishes during Eid Days (like Biryani, Sawaiyan); and for sure meeting with family members.

Mahmoud: It is a very special festival for me, especially the first day when I can have lunch with the family. It’s such a happy feeling when you are able to enjoy your favorite food during daytime after a month of fasting till nightfall.

Maria: What we like most about Eid is the renewal of our faith, giving charity and spending time together as family and doing everything as one!

We wish our KFC family around the world a very special Eid al-Fitr and encourage everyone to learn more about this special time.

Eid Mubarak!