What do Bayram and Hari Raya mean?
Bayram and Hari Raya are simply local names for Eid. "Bayram" is the Turkish word for a festival, used across Turkey and the Balkans, while "Hari Raya" is Malay and Indonesian for "great day". Both refer to the same two Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
One festival, many names
Islam has two official festivals each year. Anas reported that when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, people had two days of play, and he told them Allah had given them two better days instead: the day of Adha and the day of Fitr (Sunan Abi Dawud 1134). Muslims around the world kept those two days but named them in their own languages, the same way Christmas is Noël in French and Weihnachten in German. See What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Bayram (Turkey and the Balkans)
- Ramazan Bayramı is Eid al-Fitr. It's also nicknamed Şeker Bayramı, the "sugar festival", because children go door to door collecting sweets.
- Kurban Bayramı is Eid al-Adha, the "festival of sacrifice".
- In Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo the word becomes Bajram or Bajrami.
- Common greetings: "İyi bayramlar" (happy Bayram) or "Bayramınız mübarek olsun" (may your Bayram be blessed).
Hari Raya (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore)
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri, or Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore ("great day of fasting"), is Eid al-Fitr. Indonesians usually call it Lebaran or Idul Fitri.
- Hari Raya Haji or Aidiladha is Eid al-Adha, linked to the Hajj season.
- Greetings include "Selamat Hari Raya" and the Indonesian "Mohon maaf lahir dan batin" (please forgive me, outwardly and inwardly), because asking forgiveness from family is a big part of the day.
- Many people travel back to their home villages, a huge yearly journey called mudik or balik kampung.
Other names you may hear
South Asians often say Choti Eid (small Eid) for Eid al-Fitr and Bari Eid or Bakra Eid for Eid al-Adha. In West Africa, Eid al-Adha is Tabaski, and in Senegal Eid al-Fitr is Korité. Whatever the name, the core is the same: the Eid prayer, takbir, family, good food and charity. See What food do Muslims eat on Eid?
- Bayram (Turkish) and Hari Raya (Malay/Indonesian) both mean Eid.
- Islam has only two Eids: al-Fitr after Ramadan and al-Adha during Hajj.
- Local names come with their own customs, sweets and greetings.
- "Eid Mubarak" works everywhere, whatever the local name.
People also ask
Can I say "Happy Eid" instead of "Eid Mubarak"?
Yes, you can say "Happy Eid" instead of "Eid Mubarak." Eid greetings have no fixed wording, so a kind wish in any language is fine for Muslims.
Read the full answer →Can I celebrate Eid if I didn't fast Ramadan?
Yes, you can celebrate Eid even if you didn't fast Ramadan. Eid is for every Muslim; make up missed fasts and still pay zakat al-fitr.
Read the full answer →Can I celebrate Eid if I converted during Ramadan?
Yes, if you converted during Ramadan you can fully celebrate Eid. Days before your shahada need no make-up, but zakat al-fitr is due on you.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims hug three times on Eid?
Many Muslims hug three times on Eid, but it's a cultural custom, not a sunnah. Where it comes from, who to hug, and tips for converts.
Read the full answer →Can I have an "Eid tree" like a Christmas tree?
Most scholars advise against an Eid tree copying a Christmas tree. Why, where views differ, and fun Eid decoration ideas for families and kids.
Read the full answer →