A One month long Islamic Festival: Eid Ul-Fitr
Eid is an an Arabic word. When most people hear about Eid they tend to think about eating and gathering. Many people however, forget the concept, origin and the reason for the celebration of Eid and so it becomes of less significance to them. For every Muslim there are two major festivals in a year which are Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha. Eid Ul-Fitr is celebrated after the end of the 9th month, which is Ramadan on the Islamic calendar, while Eid Ul-Adha is observed on the twelfth month which is Dhul Hijjah on the Islamic calendar. Muslim months are solemnly based on the moon and so we have a lunar calendar ( The celebrations of the ancient Egypt were normally religious in nature and held in conjunction with the lunar calendar in temples)[page 151]. The Eid I’ll be talking about is Eid Ul-Fitr.
Ramadan is the month in which Allah or God revealed the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). In this month it is believed and said that God closes the doors of the hell fire and opens up all the doors to the heavens and all evil is locked up (festivals were designed to commemorate certain specific events in the daily lives of the people as well, particularly agricultural oriented events.)[page 151]. In the holy month, all good deeds done receives multiple blessings and so Muslims are encouraged to increase the level of good deeds they perform during Ramadan. In Ramadan, Muslims fast for thirty days from dawn to sunset.Everyday after sunset, families, friends and neighbourhoods come together to eat and break their fast. The significance of this is to make Muslims guard against evil, experience what it is like to be hungry, bring family and friends close, help improve one’s health and many more. The last ten days of Ramadan is known as the “Laylatul Qadr” which is described as the “night of power” in the Quran. In these ten nights we go to the mosque to pray in the evening until dawn. It is believed that whoever is able to pray on that on night amongst the ten nights and God accepts their prayer, then their previous sins would be forgiven. After the moon is sighted on the 29th of Ramadan, we don’t fast the 30th and if it is not sighted then, we complete a full 30 days of fast and observe Eid Ul-Fitr the next day to symbolize the ending of the holy month.(the sacred Animal was exhibited to the people during this season of the fallen Nile, it’s time in which the Egyptians symbolically mourned the coming death of Osiris, a sign that’s the growing season was ending.)[page 152]
Muslims are expected to put on new clothes on Eid day so many go shopping for new bags, shoes and dresses during Ramadan. We also donate food stuffs and clothes to poor people to enable them to wear new clothes too during Eid. On Eid day, the young ladies dress their best and the young men dress their best to go to the prayer grounds. We get to see friends and family members we have not seen in a long time. Those who are at loggerheads are supposed to forgive each other and become friends again. After the two nafl prayers are observed, Muslims are encouraged to hug each other and ask for forgiveness from each other too. There is a lot of smiles to be seen on Eid day. Usually on Eid day a lot of couples are made because the youth get to see each other and so if someone see a young lady that they like, they meet up with her then further speak to the girls parents through usually their parents. Hence, there is a saying that “ if you’re given a wife on Eid day, do not take her.” The reasoning behind this is that every single one of the young ladies look beautiful on Eid day.
After the Eid prayer is observed, friends and families gather and eat and new relationships are formed. Children go around collecting candy and money from the older people while saying “ we’re thankful for Eid”. It is always beautiful to watch people during Eid laughing and smiling at each other and old grudges are left behind. Many come on the Eid grounds and leave with more than they came with. Eid is one festival I look forward to every year because it brings joy and peace to the community. Eid Ul-Fitr is great due to its significance that the holy month has ended and that a new beginning and opportunity is presented to people and a chance to change any negative acts. (one oher comparison or similarity is that they have a feast during those festivities)