Eid al-Fitr in Iran
In Iran, the law names Eid al-Fitr as a national public holiday for the first and second days of Shawwal. The holiday’s practical meaning is religious as well as legal: it follows Ramadan, and religious guidance addresses Eid prayer and fiṭrah charity.[1][3][4]
A two-day holiday under Iranian law
Iran’s legal holiday list explicitly gives Eid al-Fitr two official days: 1 and 2 Shawwal. This makes it a nationwide public holiday rather than a date that varies by province.[1]
The Labour Law refers to official holidays in its provisions for workers, treats Labour Day as an additional workers’ official holiday, and says other holidays are not counted as annual leave. These provisions place public holidays within the framework for workers’ rest and leave, though they do not set out Eid-specific staffing or service hours.[2]
Religious meaning and prayer
Eid al-Fitr falls at the start of Shawwal after Ramadan. Its distinction in Iran is its explicit two-day status in national holiday law.[1]
For followers of Ayatollah Sistani, Eid prayer is recommended and may be performed in congregation or individually. His rulings place the prayer between sunrise and noon on Eid day. This is religious guidance from Sistani’s office, not a claim that every Muslim in Iran follows the same authority or prayer practice.[3]
Fiṭrah charity
Sistani’s guidance describes zakāt al-fiṭrah as an obligation for qualifying adults who are not poor, paid on their own behalf and for qualifying dependants. It specifies staple food, such as wheat, barley, dates, raisins or rice, or its monetary value; the ruling also identifies Eid as the first day of Shawwal.[4]
The guidance says that people who perform Eid prayer should set aside or give fiṭrah before the prayer, while those who do not pray may delay it until before noon. These are rulings of Sistani’s office; obligations and details can differ by religious authority, so people who follow another authority should consult that authority’s guidance.[4]
Practical planning
Because the law lists both days as official public holidays, residents and visitors should expect ordinary public and workplace schedules to be affected. Check opening hours for banks, shops and transport, and the national schedule for essential services, directly with a service provider before travelling or relying on an office being open.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
How many public-holiday days does Eid al-Fitr have in Iran?
The Iranian holiday law lists two days: the first and second of Shawwal.[1]
Is Eid al-Fitr a day off in Iran?
When is Eid al-Fitr observed?
The Iranian law identifies it with 1 and 2 Shawwal. The Gregorian dates shift between years.[1]
What is zakāt al-fiṭrah?
In Sistani’s rulings, it is a charitable religious obligation for qualifying people, given for themselves and eligible dependants as staple food or its monetary value. Those following another religious authority should check that authority’s rules.[4]
What is open during the holiday?
Check with the relevant provider before making plans.
Sources and references
Sources used for End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) in Iran:
- لایحه قانونی تعیین تعطیلات رسمی کشور- Nezamat legal archive
- LABOUR LAW.PDF- International Labour Organization, NATLEX
- THE EID AL‑FIṬR[1] & EID AL‑AḌḤĀ PRAYERS[2]- Office of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani
- THE FIṬRAH ALMS TAX (ZAKĀT AL‑FIṬRAH)- Office of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani