List of Countries That Don’t Declare Eid-el-Fitr As Public Holiday

TJ News Nigeria reports that while Eid-el-Fitr is widely celebrated as one of the most important religious holidays for Muslims around the world, not all nations officially recognize it as a public holiday. Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, is traditionally a time of prayer, thanksgiving, feasting, and community gatherings.

In many Muslim-majority countries, Eid-el-Fitr is a national holiday with government offices, schools, and businesses closed to allow families to celebrate. However, in several non-Muslim-majority nations, the holiday is not officially recognized, and life continues as normal in the public sector.

Below is a detailed list of countries that do not declare Eid-el-Fitr as a public holiday, despite having Muslim populations and active celebrations within their communities.

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🌍 Countries Where Eid-el-Fitr is Not a Public Holiday

1. Canada

• Despite Canada’s strong emphasis on multiculturalism and diversity, Eid-el-Fitr is not recognized as a federal public holiday.

• Muslims in Canada often take personal leave to celebrate the occasion, attending Eid prayers in mosques and community centers.

2. Brazil

• Brazil does not observe Eid-el-Fitr as a national public holiday.

• The Muslim population celebrates privately with religious gatherings and communal meals.

3. Argentina

• Argentina does not designate Eid-el-Fitr as a public holiday, although it is celebrated by the country’s Muslim minority.

4. United States

• In the U.S., Eid-el-Fitr is not a federal holiday.

• Many American Muslims take personal time off to celebrate. Some school districts with significant Muslim populations, such as in New York City, now recognize Eid as a school holiday, but it is not nationwide.

5. South Africa

• While Islam is practiced in South Africa, Eid-el-Fitr is not a recognized public holiday.

• Muslim communities mark the event with prayers, feasts, and charitable acts.

6. Netherlands

• The Dutch government does not officially recognize Eid-el-Fitr as a public holiday.

• Discussions have occurred around inclusion and cultural recognition, but the day remains non-official on the national calendar.

7. Switzerland

• Despite its religious diversity, Switzerland does not declare Eid-el-Fitr a national holiday.

• Muslims are free to observe the day in their private capacity.

8. Russia

• Although Russia has significant Muslim populations in regions such as Tatarstan and the North Caucasus, Eid-el-Fitr is not a national holiday.

• Some autonomous republics may observe the holiday locally.

9. Australia

• In Australia, Eid-el-Fitr is not a national public holiday.

• However, the Muslim community celebrates through mosque services and social gatherings, especially in urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne.

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10. United Kingdom

• Eid-el-Fitr is not a bank holiday in the UK, despite the country’s significant and diverse Muslim population.

• Many Muslims take annual leave to participate in prayers and family events.

11. France

• Home to one of the largest Muslim populations in Europe, France does not recognize Eid as a public holiday.

• Celebrations still take place across French cities, but they are not supported by official leave or public closure.

12. Italy

• As a predominantly Catholic nation, Italy does not include Eid-el-Fitr in its public holiday schedule.

• Nonetheless, the Muslim community continues to observe the holiday through mosque services and community outreach.

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✨ Why the Lack of Recognition?

Several factors contribute to the non-recognition of Eid-el-Fitr as a public holiday in these countries:

• Secular governance that separates religion from state holidays.

• Minority Muslim populations that do not yet constitute enough of the electorate to influence national holiday policies.

• Political, cultural, or religious dynamics that resist expanding national calendars to include non-Christian religious events.

Despite the absence of public holiday status, Eid-el-Fitr is widely celebrated in these nations. Muslims typically request leave from work or school, and large congregational prayers are held at mosques and open grounds. Community members also engage in charity (Zakat al-Fitr), festive meals, and family reunions.

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📌 Key Takeaway

Eid-el-Fitr continues to serve as a deeply spiritual and culturally rich festival for Muslims globally, even in countries where it is not recognized as a public holiday. The strength of the celebrations in these nations underscores the resilience and dedication of Muslim communities in preserving their religious identity and traditions.