📅 holiday

Id Ul-Fitr

Saturday, March 21, 2026

— days to go

Id Ul-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the first day of the month of Shawwal, which immediately follows the month of fasting and prayer during Ramadan. In 2027, Id Ul-Fitr falls on Wednesday 10 March. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. In Sri Lanka, most people follow Buddhism, but about 10 percent of the population is Muslim. Muslims have been in Sri Lanka for well over 1,000 years, ever since Arab merchants brought Islam to the coastal regions in the 7th Century A.D. Most Sri Lankan Muslims still live near the coast and are descendants of these Arab merchants and their wives, who were often natives of the island. Id Ul-Fitr is a day of communal prayer for Muslims and of listening to sermons at local mosques. They also are expected to give some form of charitable donation, usually food, to the poor at this time. Community events, particularly for children, and festive meals are also common, and many travel great distances to attend these celebrations. Donning new clothes, visiting friends and relatives, giving out candy, presents, or “festival money” to children, and sending greeting cards with the words “Eid Mubbarak!” (Blessed Eid!) are further ways of celebrating the day. After Id Ul-Fitr prayer sessions, often held in large outdoor grounds or arenas if not at a mosque, participants will wish each other “Salaam” (peace), exchange hugs, and otherwise express good will. Id Ul-Fitr is also a day on which to forget about past grudges and quarrels, particularly with other family members. During the month of Ramadan, the Sri Lankan government accommodates Muslims by allowing them more flexible work schedules. The long daytime fasting and late night snacks can disrupt normal waking and sleeping habits. When Id Ul-Fitr arrives, all of that is past, and a great celebration with massive feasting follows the month-long fast of Ramadan. If in Sri Lanka for Id Ul-Fitr, some activities you may be interested in include: Visiting Sri Lanka during Id Ul-Fitr will introduce you to some Muslim customs of Sri Lanka’s longstanding Islamic community. It will also give you an opportunity to view some interesting and unique sites and to enjoy the weather and the scenic Sri Lankan countryside.

History

Id Ul-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the first day of the month of Shawwal, which immediately follows the month of fasting and prayer during Ramadan. Muslims have been in Sri Lanka for well over 1,000 years, ever since Arab merchants brought Islam to the coastal regions in the 7th Century A. Community events, particularly for children, and festive meals are also common, and many travel great distances to attend these celebrations

How It's Celebrated

Id Ul-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the first day of the month of Shawwal, which immediately follows the month of fasting and prayer during Ramadan. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. They also are expected to give some form of charitable donation, usually food, to the poor

Other Years

2027 Wed

10 Mar

2028 Sat

26 Feb

2026 Sat

21 Mar

2025 Mon

31 Mar

Countries

🇱🇰 LK

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📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.

📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1

📅 holiday Mar 30

Seward's Day

Seward’s Day commemorates the signing of the treaty with the Russian Empire on 30 March 1867 that secured the purchase of Alaska. This holiday differs from Alaska Day, which commemorates the “formal actual transfer” of Alaska. In 2027, Seward's Day falls on Monday 29 March. The holiday will be on Monday 27 March in 2028. The treaty was single-handedly negotiated by Secretary of State William Seward, which arranged for the vast territory’s purchase at only $7.2 million. Russia was willing to sell because, at the time, Alaska was costing them more to maintain as a territory than it was producing in revenues. Thus, Seward was mocked by many and his purchase dubbed “Seward’s Folly” and, other times, “Seward’s Icebox.” However, in 1897, the discovery of gold in the Klondike River and the subsequent Alaska Gold Rush quelled the objections of “the doubters.” Seward, having passed away in 1872, never lived to witness his vindication. Later, the discovery of large oil, gas, and coal deposits and the development of the lumber and fishing industries proved once again how valuable Alaska was economically. Another factor to remember is that the removal of Russian influence from the North American continent was a significant political benefit the U.S. gained from the deal. Seward’s Day is observed every final Monday of March in Alaska, and many are off work or school. There are events held every year in Anchorage, Sitka, and Seward.