As Ramadan comes to an end and Eid approaches, the Muslim community prepares for the big celebration. Islamic Center of San Diego Community Leader Taha Hassane said, “On the day of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim community comes together in the morning after sunrise. They perform a special prayer that is Salat-ul-Eid, which means prayer of Eid. They pray and then listen to a sermon given by the Imam [religious leader]. After they congratulate one another and exchange gifts, families go together to have a special breakfast or lunch and then the next few days after that, there is a Eid carnival where there are a lot of games for the kids and a lot of food for the families.”
In Islam, Eid al-Fitr is a very significant holiday that Muslims look forward to all year long. Hassane said, “Eid means to celebrate the achievement of fasting for the whole month of Ramadan and also praying at night, and giving a lot of Sadaqah [charity]. So after doing all these acts of worship comes the day that we celebrate.” According to a website containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad and of Islamic Rulings, “Eid al-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal; thus, by seeing the new moon of the month of Shawwal on the 29 of Ramadan or after 30 days of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is confirmed” (hadith.net). The Hijri Calendar, also known as the Islamic Calendar, is a lunar calendar, meaning it follows the cycle of the moon. This year, Eid will take place on Wednesday, April 10.
Hassane explained the origins of Eid al-Fitr’s name and defined the celebration: “It is called Eid al-Fitr which means the celebration of breaking the fast because on that day, we finish fasting. So that day, all the Muslims are supposed to not fast and it is called Eid al-Fitr because we break our fast on that day. We celebrate Eid al-Fitr to show our happiness for fasting the entire month of Ramadan and for praying at night.” Sophomore Dannah Shinta said, “Eid means a celebration for completing our fasting month. But it also extends to thanking God for helping, guiding, providing, and blessing us, as well as making us better Muslims in the process.”
Shinta said, “My family and I celebrate Eid by wearing our best clothes, making delicious sweets and doing our daily prayers and the Eid Salah. We go out to eat at restaurants, hang out with multiple families of brothers and sisters, play, laugh, and make amazing memories.” Shinta said that one of her family traditions on Eid is to make “…cute, goodie bags for the children we meet at the Masjid [Mosque].”
When describing what Eid feels like, Shinta said, “It feels amazing. It’s almost impossible to describe what you feel during this beautiful day. Although I feel sad that Ramadan has finished, I’m surrounded by joy, laughter, faith, family, and friends. It’s like a dream that you never want to wake up from. You feel a rush of excitement the entire day, like when you’re on a rollercoaster or you’re going on a fun trip.”
Shinta said that if there was one word that she could use to describe Eid, it would be paradise. “Eid is almost like a tiny preview to what Heaven looks like. Everyone is happy, excited and smiling. Children are running and playing. Not a single face ofsorrow, we eat our favorite foods. Beautiful decorations, everyone is dressed up like royalty, and we pray to God, thanking Him for everything He has provided and blessed us with.”
Eid is a holiday at which time the Muslim community and families congregate to celebrate a month of worship and fasting while dressing in their nicest clothing and smelling their best. Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, in 2024.