If you have a Muslim colleague, neighbour, or friend, you have probably heard the phrase "Eid Mubarak." You may have seen social media posts about Eid, or noticed that Muslim friends are celebrating something but were not quite sure what.
This guide explains both Eid celebrations, what they mean in Islam, and how Warragul Mosque marks them every year.
There Are Two Eids
A common misconception is that there is only one Eid. There are actually two, and they are quite different from each other.
Eid ul-Fitr is the celebration at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It marks the breaking of the fast after 29 or 30 days and is often called the "smaller" Eid, though it certainly does not feel small. It is a day of gratitude, generosity, and togetherness.
Eid ul-Adha is the "Festival of Sacrifice," observed about 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr. It commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, before God intervened and provided a ram instead. It coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and is considered the more significant of the two Eids in Islamic tradition.
Eid ul-Fitr: The End of Ramadan
Eid ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan, and its date changes each year because it follows the Islamic lunar calendar.
The day begins with a special Eid prayer, held in the morning, usually at a mosque or large outdoor space. The prayer is followed by a short sermon. After that, families visit each other, share meals, give gifts to children, and donate to those in need (a mandatory charity called Zakat ul-Fitr is paid before the prayer).
The traditional greeting on this day is "Eid Mubarak" or "Eid Saeed" — see the section below for exactly what each phrase means.
At Warragul Mosque, Eid ul-Fitr prayer has drawn over 300 community members. Families come from across Baw Baw Shire and beyond. It is one of the biggest gatherings the mosque holds each year.
What Does "Eid Saeed" Mean?
Eid Saeed (Arabic: عيد سعيد) translates directly as "Happy Eid." It is one of the two main greetings Muslims exchange during both Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.
Eid Mubarak (Arabic: عيد مبارك) means "Blessed Eid." The two phrases carry the same warm, celebratory spirit and are used interchangeably.
Where you hear each one:
- Eid Saeed is most common in Arab-speaking communities and across the Middle East.
- Eid Mubarak is widely used in South and Southeast Asia and is probably more familiar to non-Muslims in Australia.
How to respond: If a Muslim friend, colleague, or neighbour says "Eid Saeed" or "Eid Mubarak" to you, the warmest reply is to say it back — or simply "Thank you, and the same to you." No prior knowledge needed. The greeting is always well received.
Eid ul-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and lasts for three to four days. Around the world, Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice an animal (usually a sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and distribute the meat to family, neighbours, and those in need.
Like Eid ul-Fitr, the day begins with a morning prayer. The spirit of the day is one of sacrifice, gratitude, and generosity. For Muslims watching the Hajj pilgrimage from afar, it is also a time to feel connected to the global Muslim community making their way to Mecca.
Eid at Warragul Mosque
Before the mosque opened, Eid was something Warragul's Muslim families celebrated at home or drove long distances to observe with other Muslims. There was no local Eid prayer, no community gathering, and no shared celebration in the shire.
Now there is.
Since opening, Warragul Mosque has held Eid prayers for both celebrations, with growing attendance each year. The prayers are open to everyone. Non-Muslim neighbours are welcome to observe.
If you want to know when the next Eid prayer is, follow us on Instagram at @binai.charity or email hello@binai.org.au.
"Eid Mubarak" Means More Than You Think
For Muslim families who have spent years without a local mosque, without a community to celebrate Eid with, without their children growing up surrounded by other Muslim kids on the most important days of the Islamic calendar, being able to say "Eid Mubarak" to 300 people in their own town is not a small thing.
It is exactly what a mosque is for.
Learn about Ramadan and how Warragul's community observes it.
Warragul Mosque, 72 Victoria Street, Warragul VIC 3820. Operated by BINAI, ABN: 16 723 284 175.