Eid In Middle East Is Different… (image: pixabay)
Muslims all across the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr as it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. The official start of the celebration begins on the sighting of the new crescent moon. West Asian countries being the Muslim majority will announce three days as an official holiday. And the number of holidays will differ with countries.
Muslims will begin their Eid celebration by taking part in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn followed by a sermon. On their way to the mosque, all dressed up in new clothes adorned with a beautiful smile on faces, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”. It is customary for Arabs across the Middle East to eat sweet before the prayer, such as a date-filled biscuit known as maamoul.
After the prayer, gifts and money are offered to children to celebrate the joyous event.
The Eid-ul-Fitr is also known as the “Festival of sweets” and this tradition of having lots of sweets began with early Muslims in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The food items with lots of sugar content is an energy booster after a month of fasting.
But unlike the previous Eid celebration, this Eid will stand different with less joy and laughter. Muslims across the world will celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr by pledging solidarity with the people of Gaza. Gazans will little food aid, and very limited water will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks. With steadfastness and resilience, the people of Gaza has already set a benchmark during the month of Ramadan. Strongly holding their beliefs, amidst the unimaginable atrocities of Israel on the people of Gaza, in between the rubbles, they fasted, prayed taraweeh (night long prayers), and witnessed the Laylat-ul-Qadr (The night of power). When the world watched them helpless, the people of Gaza with immense faith even after six months of cruelty, called out to the world ‘lan narhil’ (we will not leave).
Palestinian streets will not be decorated with lights this year. Instead will have a bitter coffee and a date traditionally to mark mourning. Each one of them longing for a ceasefire.
