Muslim Festivals

Festivals in Islam

Festivals are an important part of Muslim life. Two great celebrations, called Id, mark key moments in the year, and a third day, Ashura, is marked in different ways by different Muslims. This module sets out what each festival remembers and how Muslims celebrate them, in the way Muslims themselves describe them.

Festival vocabulary

Learn these four terms before you study the festivals.

The two great Ids

The two Id festivals remember very different things.

Report it, and note the difference

A top answer reports what Muslims do rather than stating it as fact, and it is careful with Ashura. On that day the events at Karbala are remembered in mourning by Shia Muslims, while some Sunni Muslims fast, so give both fairly and at the same length. Name what each festival remembers, not just that it happens.

Match the festival

Match the term

What does Id-ul-Fitr mark?

What does the festival of Id-ul-Fitr mark?

• The end of Ramadan and its fasting.
• The festival of sacrifice.
• The events at Karbala.
• The start of the pilgrimage.

At Id-ul-Fitr

Select the TWO things Muslims commonly do at Id-ul-Fitr.

• Attend special prayers.
• Give to charity.
• Mourn the martyrdom of Husayn.
• Begin a month of fasting.

Order the year

Put these points of the Muslim year in order, earliest first.

• The month of Ramadan and its fasting
• Id-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan
• The season of the Hajj pilgrimage
• Id-ul-Adha at the time of Hajj

Complete the facts

The festival at the end of Ramadan is _____. The festival of sacrifice, at the time of Hajj, is _____. It remembers the obedience of _____. On _____, Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Husayn. The month of fasting itself is _____.

Write an attributed statement

Build a statement that reports the practice accurately, rather than stating it as fact.

Spot the two Ids

Tap the TWO festivals whose names begin with Id.

• Id-ul-Fitr
• Id-ul-Adha
• Ashura
• Ramadan

Name the festival

Read each description and choose the festival it fits.

• Families attend special prayers and celebrate after a month of fasting has ended. Which festival is this?
• The obedience of Ibrahim is remembered and meat is shared with the poor, at the time of Hajj. Which festival is this?
• Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala. Which day is this?

Explain the festivals

Explain the main Muslim festivals and what each one remembers.

• Describe Id-ul-Fitr and what it celebrates
• Describe Id-ul-Adha and what it remembers
• Explain, with attribution, how Sunni and Shia Muslims mark Ashura differently