Eid-ul-Fitr means joy, gatherings, and a moment of eager anticipation for children—receiving Salami.
For a long time in our society, on the day of Eid, younger ones have greeted their elders as a sign of love and received some money or gifts in return.
This traditional custom is known as ‘Eid Salami’ or, in Arabic, ‘Eidiya.’ However, in today’s technology-dependent era, the method of giving this Salami has undergone a significant change.
Alongside giving direct cash, the trend of giving ‘Digital Salami’ via social media, messaging apps, and mobile banking is rapidly increasing.
This change is most visible among the younger generation. Many are now asking for Salami from elders through Facebook statuses, Messenger messages, or WhatsApp while sending Eid greetings.
Conversely, elders are also sending Salami instantly through various mobile financial services (MFS) including bKash, Rocket, Nagad, or Upay.
Salami’s nature changing
Stakeholders say that due to the expansion of technology and the availability of mobile banking services, it is now possible to give and receive Salami very easily even from a distance.
Previously, receiving Salami from relatives living abroad was almost impossible. But now, because it is possible to send money instantly through digital platforms, the distance has decreased significantly.
The journey of mobile banking services in Bangladesh began around 2010-11.
Although its use was limited at first, it started gaining rapid popularity after 2015.
Specifically, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, digital transactions increased significantly. Since then, a trend of using digital mediums for many social and family financial transactions emerged, the impact of which is now clear in Eid Salami as well.
Ishrat Jahan, a student at a private university, said: “Digital Salami is now much easier and safer. Even if they are far away, Salami can be received from relatives instantly. However, the smell and feeling of new notes that existed before is not quite found anymore.”
Crisis of new notes
Centering on Eid, the demand for new banknotes increases every year. Many prefer to collect crisp new notes to give Salami to children.
However, this time Bangladesh Bank did not release new notes into the market for Eid.
Consequently, a crisis of new money has been created in the market, and the buying and selling of new notes on the footpaths has increased.
Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that nearly Tk20,000 crore is spent every year to print new notes. As part of the policy to reduce this massive expenditure and gradually move toward a cashless economy, the supply of new notes has been reduced.
However, the demand for new notes surrounding Eid has not decreased. As a result, taking advantage of the supply shortage, the trade of new notes in the open market may have increased.
Market sources stated that to buy a bundle of Tk1,000 in new Tk10 notes, an additional Tk450 had to be paid. For a Tk2,000 bundle of Tk20 notes, an additional Tk650 was charged.
Even for old notes, up to an extra Tk400 per bundle was taken. In the case of Tk100 bundles, the extra charge ranged from Tk700 to Tk800.
Various types of fun strategies are also seen among the youth to get Salami on Eid.
Many go to relatives' houses to offer greetings (Salam), while others ask for Salami after meeting elders following the Eid prayers.
In many cases, adolescents and youths go in groups to relatives or elders in the neighborhood to collect Salami.
There is also a distinct custom of collecting Salami in office culture.
On the last working day before the Eid holidays begin, junior colleagues gather in groups to collect Salami from their seniors. This creates a festive joy in the workplace as well.
New trend
Another new dimension has now been added to the traditional custom of Eid Salami—‘Salami Bouquets’ made of banknotes.
Instead of tucking money into hands, many are now giving Salami by creating flower bouquets or gifts decorated with banknotes.
This trend, which became popular through the influence of social media, has also created a new market for small online-based entrepreneurs.
Online crafting entrepreneur Ismat Ara stated that she started this type of work in 2021 through an online page named ‘Ara’s Flair.’
In 2023, she first created a flower bouquet with banknotes at the request of an expatriate customer.
She said: “In the beginning, this concept was not very well known. However, after a video went viral on social media in 2025, many people started making these types of bouquets. Now, ahead of Eid, the number of orders has increased significantly.”
According to entrepreneurs, the making charge for creating a Salami bouquet currently starts from Tk300 and can go up to Tk5,000.
The cost increases or decreases based on the amount of money, the number of notes, and the type of decoration.
According to analysts, since it is possible to start this type of work with little capital, it is also creating new income opportunities for young entrepreneurs, students, and homemakers.
The origin of Eidiya
The custom of giving gifts on the day of Eid is not new; its roots are deeply embedded in history.
According to researchers, the word ‘Eidiya’ comes from the word ‘Eid,’ which means a gift given on a joyous occasion.
According to historical sources, the practice of giving gifts on Eid was specifically seen during the Fatimid period in Egypt, i.e., at the end of the fourth century Hijri or the tenth century AD.
At that time, rulers distributed money and clothes among the common people on the day of Eid.
Members of the royal family were given gold coins or dinars, and children were given small gifts. Gradually, this practice became a social and cultural custom in Muslim society.
Scholars say that Eid Salami is not prohibited in Islam; however, it is not an act of worship (Ibadah) or a mandatory provision either. Rather, it is a social and cultural custom.
Mufti Abdur Rahman Hussaini, head of the Fatwa Department at Jamiyatul Islamia Baitus Salam in the capital, said that according to the principles of Islam, an action is valid as long as it does not fall under an explicit prohibition of Shariah. From that perspective, giving money or gifts for the purpose of making someone happy on the day of Eid is valid.
“The Hadith mentions increasing mutual love through the exchange of gifts. Therefore, giving Eid Salami for the purpose of giving joy to children and strengthening kin relationships can be a beautiful initiative.”
Shaykh Ahmadullah, chairman of the As-Sunnah Foundation, also said in a video message that when younger ones greet elders during Eid, the elders respond to it and often give some Hadiya (gifts) as a token of love. This is part of our country's culture and has no conflict with Islam.
