Eid Mubarak! Do you celebrate the Holiday Eid or know someone who does? Let me tell you more about this important holiday.
Eid is a Muslim holiday celebrated by 1.9 billion people around the world. Eid ul-Fitr is a significant festival celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It holds great importance as it marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection, and signifies the beginning of a new Islamic year. Eid al-Fitr means the feast, or festival, of breaking the fast,” said Mariam Fam, editor of Action news.
The last day of Ramadan is also called “Chand Raat” by the Bengali culture and is also a major festival that now many other people also celebrate. Chand Raat is the sighting of the crescent moon, a significant moment that signals the start of Eid. We do henna, sing and watch fireworks in many places. Some people even hold concerts in celebration of Chand Raat and the upcoming Eid. One such concert was held in Starling Avenue in the Bronx as little children sang songs about Eid and Islam.
“I’m not a person who likes to be at a crowded pace so for me the concert was boring but I had fun being with my friends and I got henna and I had so much fun looking at the fireworks,” said Rejwana Islam Saroni, a student in 11th grade. “People were buying new clothes and jewelry for Eid and the streets were super crowded for events like this and many people like to celebrate this with their family.’’’
Ashgan Alraidani, an 11th grader, also looks forward to Eid. “I’m always excited for Eid as I get to go on a shopping spree and it’s also about being with family and friends,” Ashgan said.
Eid is the time of the year where people gather in one place to eat and spend time with friends and family. “I’m very excited about Eid, especially the food,” said sophomore Tahmina Marhan. “For me Eid is about connecting with my family, spending time and sharing a meal with my loved ones.”
The day of Eid, people gather in a mosque, a place where the Muslim pray five times a day, to pray the Eid prayer. The day is also includes big celebrations as in many cultures people invite all their family members and friends and eat. On this day, people make so many dishes and desserts and there is a culture where the older people give money to the youngsters.
“I’m very excited and proud that Ramadan was easy for me and Eid feels like a reward for all the struggle I have been through in Ramadan,” Myess Hammouri, another sophomore, said.
I agree: I love Eid as I get to spend time with my family and connect with them and the best part is that they give me gifts and money.
