SOURCE: INDEPENDENT

BY: SABRINA BARR

This year, Muslims around the world are observing the festival of Eid al-Fitr from the evening of Tuesday 4 May until the evening of Wednesday 5 May.

The religious holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which involves fasting for 29 to 30 days during daylight hours.

As such, Eid al-Fitr is an occasion to rejoice with loved ones and indulge in an array of delicious food.

Eid al-Fitr, known as the “festival of breaking the fast” is also dubbed “sweet Eid”.

Meanwhile Eid al-Adha, the Muslim “festival of the sacrifice” which takes place in August, is known as the “salty Eid”.

As the name “sweet Eid” suggests, a variety of sweet dishes are eaten in celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

For their first daylight meal following a month of fasting, Muslims sit down with family and friends for an expansive breakfast on Eid al-Fitr.

Different sweet dishes are eaten by Muslims during the meal depending on where they are in the world.

Here are some of the dishes eaten in celebration of Eid al-Fitr:

Boeber

One of the dishes eaten during the celebratory feast is Boeber.

Originating from South Africa, Boeber is a sweet, milk drink made by cooking vermicelli with dates.

In addition to being consumed on Eid al-Fitr, the drink is also traditionally served on the 15th night of Ramadan, to mark the halfway point of the month-long feast.

In Trinidad and Tobago, a similar drink called Sawine or Sewine is served during Eid al-Fitr.

Ghraybeh

Ghraybeh, a Middle Eastern shortbread cookie, may also appear on the feasting table.

The cookies have an “amazing crunchy and buttery texture that melts in the mouth”, recipe developer Nahed Alfar writes on Instagram.

“For many it is a simple yet essential dessert of the month of Ramadan and also a sweet way to celebrate Eid,” she adds.

Sohan Asali

Sohan Asali is an Iranian pastry or sweet made from honey, sugar, saffron and nuts such as almonds.

The dish frequently appears during feasts to celebrate Persian New Year.

Ma’amoul

Ma’amoul is an Arab shortbread-like biscuit made with dates and nuts such as pistachios, walnuts and almonds.

Ma-amoul pastries may be presented in a ball shape or as flattened cookies.

They are traditionally served with Arabic coffee.

Tajine

Tajine, or tagine, is a Maghrebi dish which consists of a slow-cooked stew.

Aromatic vegetables and sauces are added to meats such as beef and chicken for tasty, savoury treat.

Cambaabur

Cambaabur is a Somali bread traditionally eaten during Eid.

On Eid al-Fitr, sugar is sprinkled on top, in addition to a topping of yoghurt.

Several people expressed their excitement over finishing the month-long feast of Ramadan.

“Can’t wait to eat so much on Eid and then sleep the whole day,” one person tweeted.

“Is it even Eid unless you eat your body weight in fried food,” another added.

To read more about Eid al-Fitr, click here.