Eid al-Fitr is the most important Muslim festival and has the same standing in the Muslim world as Christmas does in the Christian world. It is widely celebrated in the Muslim world and leaders of non-Muslim nations, including the president of the United States, send their well wishes to Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. 

Eid al-Fitr is the celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan, looked upon as a reward from God after the month of fasting. It is similar to Easter since both of these celebrations happen after a long period of fasting. In both Christian and Muslim societies, there has been a change in the nature of these two celebrations as they are transitioning from a religious celebration to a cultural one. In such instances, the religious roots are gradually forgotten and are being replaced by cultural symbols.

We can see the signs of this shift from the way Muslims mark the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. A large number of Muslims, both inside and outside of the Muslim world, happily celebrate Eid al-Fitr without having fasted during Ramadan. From a religious point of view this makes no sense, since this celebration is meant to be a reward for those who have fasted during the month of Ramadan. The presentation of this phenomenon varies in different societies. It is perhaps most evident among the Muslims living in the West, where Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are part of the cultural identity of these Muslims and go beyond the individual religious obligation to fast during the month of Ramadan.

Inside the Muslim world in areas such as Lebanon, where there is more religious freedom, this change is quite evident. However, in countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, which are governed by religious establishments, people are obliged to pretend that they are fasting while in public. Therefore, if there are any changes, they go unnoticed. Nonetheless, we can see these changes in the outside layers of these societies as well.