Muslims around the world, including residents of Nebraska, will soon be marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan, one of the holiest months of the calendar, is a set period of time (a month to be exact) spent reflecting, fasting and giving back. The next month begins with feasts and parties, celebrating the end of the Holy Month. The celebration, called Eid al-Fitr, or 'the festival of breaking of the fast,' commonly known as Eid, is a three-day celebration. Eid al-Fitr is an exciting time for all Muslim families, including mine. Here are a few traditions that make Eid al-Fitr great.
It's the one time during the year where it's socially acceptable to wear your Elie Saab couture gown to the mosque, and prayer. During Eid, everyone dresses up. The first day of Eid, a prayer is held. This is especially when everyone is encouraged to dress up. The prayer, usually at 7 or 8 am in the morning, brings together Muslims of all backgrounds. You get to see the fashion of Sudan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Pakistan, all in one room.
Eid morning prayer. The first day of Eid, a morning prayer is held. This is always a moment of awe due to seeing most of the Mosque come together to worship and give thanks to one being, Allah.
You get to eat everything. After a month of fasting, you tend to appreciate food a lot more; the point of Ramadan. Ramadan is meant to make you appreciate what you have, by taking it away from you. If you ask any Muslim, they will tell you that they're glad to be fasting.
The sweets, especially date cookies. If you know me well, you know how much I love sweets and you know how I live for (literally) date cookies, or 'ma'moul'. Cookies made of farina (smeed), and stuffed with sweetened dates, these are only made during Eid. Topped with powdered sugar, these sweets are a staple of Eid at my house, as it is a Palestinian specialty.
It's a clean slate. After fasting for an entire month, Muslims recognize this holiday as a clean slate for them. There is always positive energy and lots of love as everyone comes together and asks for forgiveness from one another
Everyone can participate, even poverty stricken families. During, or towards the end of Ramadan, Muslims give money to those in need. The alms paid to the poor are called 'zakat fitrah'. 'Zakat', one of the pillars of Islam, translates to 'giving of charity'. By giving 'zakat fitrah during Ramadan, everyone can look forward to Eid ul Fitr without the stress that comes with throwing parties, and giving Eidi.
You get 'Eidaah'. 'Eidaah' is like the equilavent of Christmas presents (ish). Usually, at least in my family, the adults ask the younger kids in the family/family friend's kids what they'd like. They're given a gift of their choosing, teaching them that the Holy Month is something to be celebrated and that Eid is to be celebrated. It can be new shoes, a new cellphone, or money; literally anything.
The phone calls. During Eid, usually the first day early in the morning, family members all across the world will get phone calls, congratulating and wishing their extended family a happy Eid. In my family's case, my uncles and aunts, who live throughout the Middle East (mainly the Palestinian territories) and Europe, will call our house. It's usually at 3 am in the morning, so we are all usually awake and waiting for the calls. Exchanges of laughter and smiles are given, and then we all go back to bed. Most of the people that call are people that you do not talk to often, so this is also your chance to catch up
It brings the family together. Like I said before, families come together for the celebration. It's not only your immediate family, but also your extended family and people that you don't see regularly. The wives (and in my families case, the husbands) of the family are usually cooking all day, preparing the house for parties held at night. The children are usually helping their mothers or their fathers or outside, playing with their cousins.
If you are not a Muslim, don’t miss the opportunity to experience a taste of this Islamic festival with a Muslim community near you. And to the Muslim sisters and brothers reading this: Here’s wishing you a very happy and blessed Eid ul Fitr. Eid Mubarak!
