A festival of joy and thanksgiving

SHAFEEN MUSTAQ explains the significance of Eid-ul-Fitr, with insights on the symbolism that marks the celebrations

Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to break fast”; and so the holiday of Eid ul Fitr symbolises the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and its period of fasting. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Eid-ulFitr is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving, and is one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ulAdha

Eid-ul-Fitr’s importance can be judged from the fact that Allah himself ordered the believers to celebrate it. Prophet Muhammad established the Islamic egalitarian society, free of all kinds of exploitation and corruption, and maintaining the sanctity of society was made obligatory for all believers in every age.

The month of fasting was selected to help prepare believers for this responsibility. During the specific fasting periods, believers are required to refrain from enjoying such things which are otherwise allowed. To restrain from lawful things consistently for a month helps a great deal in building willpower to refrain from unlawfulness. The purpose of this exercise is mentioned in the following verse of the Quran: “So that you may learn restraint”.

(2:183)

This year, all the various Muslim communities in Sydney celebrated Eid on September 21. They commemorated the end of a month of fasting and spiritual and physical cleansing by beginning the day with prayer and supplications, followed by visits to friends and family, and partaking in food and fun in groups of families, friends and fraternities.

The concept of giving to a special charity on this occasion is obligatory. This is known as zakat. It is also a time to give to those who can’t afford to participate in Eid and during the last few days of Ramadan, Muslim families give a pre-determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation can be in the form of food staples like rice, sugar, dates, vermicelli - to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebrations. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

Eid preparations begin at least a week before Ramadan. The entire family usually shops together. Clothes, decorative household articles, rice, vermicelli, dried fruit are purchased and ladies draw mehendi designs on their hands.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving, and is one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ul-Adha

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning to pray the Eid prayer preferably in outdoor locations (Idgah) outside the city, following the footsteps of the Prophet who would pray on the outskirts of Madinah on both Eids; in fact he never prayed on Eid in his mosque, except once when it was raining.

Eid celebrations usually last for three days, however as Eid was on a Sunday this year, many families were content to push back celebrations to the following weekend, while others visited family and friends throughout the week. This year, several events are being held to celebrate Eid as a community.

A chand raat mela was held at Liverpool Whitlam Leisure Centre where glittering clothes, hot food and interesting presentations, audio and visual gifts, jewellery and accessories were all on sale. Women had their hands artfully decorated with henna and children had fun exploring the many things to see and do. Another post Eid festival was held at Auburn on September 26. Another major event which showcases solidarity and friendship is Sydney’s annual Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair (MEFF), to be held on October 11 at Fairfield Showground. MEFF is a big family event which hosts the largest gathering of Muslims in the southern hemisphere, attracting around 30,000 people, Muslims and non-Muslims, men, women and children of multicultural background, who are joined by federal, state and local politicians, community leaders, imams and all in a friendly Islamic atmosphere of peace, unity and enjoyment. The annual MEFF festival has been regularly held for the past 23 years. On the day Fairfield Showground will be turned into a multicultural market place with over 130 stalls selling a huge variety of delicious food, clothing, jewellery, Islamic books, audio, video discs and computer software, toys, show bags and other attractions. There will be rides for children, a variety of cultural programs, martial arts displays, drama, songs, folk dances, HSC and community awards, and congregation prayers in thousands.