Added: 12/21/2005 |
Eid Festival Features Long History Of Islamic ReligionThe Eid Festival is observed by Muslim communities as the holiday of compassion, love, and brotherhood. It symbolizes the spirit of sacrifices given by the members of Muslim community. Celebrated by all the representatives of the Islamic world, the Eid Festival features the rich religion of Islam. Two Islamic festivals are known as Eid: Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.
Eid marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Fitr is translated as "to break" and thus symbolizes the end of the fasting period. The holiday falls on the first day of Shawwal, or the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. However minor differences exist as to the exact date of Eid caused by the regional peculiarities.
All the members of Muslim family are encouraged to attend special prayers held for this particular occasion in large open areas. Other festivities include visits to the relatives and friends, and renewing family and friendship ties.
The Eid Festival marks the peace time for Muslims all over the world. It is seen as a day of peace and moral victory, brotherhood and fellowship, and congregation and unity. While celebrating, Muslims thank God for the strength and help he gave them during all of the previous months.
"Happy Eid" is a common greeting during the festival.
In Indonesia the Eid Festival is known as Idul Fitri. It is recognized as a national holiday, lasting for three days. The majority of the country's airports and bus stations are overcrowded, since many people try to reach their hometowns before the Eid Festival starts.
The Muslims of North America observe the Eid Festival in a quiet way.
Since its establishment in 1997, the Family Eid Festival has determined its main objective in forming Islamic awareness within the Islamic community in Ottawa. Its mission is to organize a holiday, which will preserve all traditions and principles of Islamic religion. Moreover, the organizers of the festival aim at training volunteers to promote a strong sense of community, and also organizational skills of the young people.
Currently, the Family Aid Festival assists other communities to establish similar events.
Because the Eid Festival depends on the sighting of the moon, most people are frequently not aware of the exact date of the festival until the night before it. Each particular community uses various methods for determining the end of Ramadan.
As Muslims of North America come from different parts of the world, there is usually no particular food served during the festival. Pakistani-American Muslims prefer traditional Asian food, African-American Muslims have a roast, and Arab-American Muslims give their preference to Arab cuisine.
In Malaysia the festival is known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which means "day of celebration." During the event, massive migrations from big cities to rural areas can be observed. This phenomenon is known as Balik Kampung, or returning to hometowns to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. It is also common for Malays to wear traditional clothes during the Eid Festival: baju melayu for men and baju kurung for women. Many non-Malay Muslims wear clothes of their culture.
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