American Muslims have been showing deep divisions over the celebration of Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims follow the lunar calendar; however, Muslims have yet to develop a uniform Islamic lunar calendar. Little wonder, American Muslim community has rarely celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on the same day. Unlike Eid-ul-Fitr, the community usually shows greater unity on Eid-ul-Adha (marking the end of Hajj or annual pilgrimage to Makkah), by celebrating it on the same day. But this practice is also becoming history.

The discord over Eids has divided immigrants from Muslim countries, including those from Pakistan, into several groups. Traditionally, Arab Americans follow the Islamic calendar Saudi Arabia follows in celebrating the Eid festivals. Disregarding local moon sightings (which determines advent of an Islamic lunar month), Arab Americans celebrate Eids with Saudi Arabia. Islamic Society of North America, which is considered to be a representative organization of mostly Arab-American Muslims, has been blindly following the Saudi Islamic calendar. Bangladeshi Americans also follow the Arabs and celebrate Eids on the same day as Muslims of Arab origin.

Muslims from other South Asian countries such as Pakistan and India usually follow Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), which adheres to an Islamic calendar based on local moon sighting. However, the issue is now dividing even these communities as well. Take the example of Pakistani Americans who follow both ISNA and ICNA. This year, the community celebrated Eid-ul-Adha both on November 16th with Arabs and Bangladeshis and on November 17th with the rest of the community. The Shia Muslims also celebrated the Eid on November 17.