Eid is a festival celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is especially celebrated in Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and many more. It is to celebrate the end of the Ramadhan.
Eid in England, unlike in other countries, is not a national holiday but Muslims are obliged to attend the morning Eid -ul- Fitr prayer. In large, ethnically Muslim areas, schools and local businesses often allow the Muslim community, in consideration of this holiday, to take days off. Like in many other countries people are not sure of the date of Eid until the night before because it always changes every year due to the sighting of the moon. In cities with fewer Muslims it becomes more difficult to be able to say the Salaat-e-Eid. And the celebration is not as festive. People have to travel to a different city to pray their Eid salaat.
On the Eid morning, men of Arab and Asian descent usually wear a Thawb, Jubbah, Sherwani and Kurta Pyjama and women usually wear a Salwar Kameez. They will proceed to a local mosque for the Eid prayers. After the prayer and the Dua (a shorter prayer) people embrace each other, meet up outside the Mosque and go to each other’s houses for a late breakfast. When they return home they will congratulate family, friends, and other Muslims and visit relatives across the city. Then usually at night there will be an Eid party either in the Mosque or at someone’s house. It is often organised over the weekend. They cook traditional food and sweets. Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani dishes such as Samosas, Siweya, Rice and Handesh, Noonor Bora, and Fulab are particularly popular within those communities. The children also receive gifts known as Eidi.
There are usually two prayers on Eid so that it is more flexible for the Muslims. Some men may go to a local cemetery after Eid prayers to remember the deceased and pray for them.
On the Eid day some Muslims go into Asian populated areas and drive up and down the street with banners and flags to celebrate Eid. Whereas others go to parties and functions held by a group of people. Some people stay at home preparing for the night celebrations.
This year Eid was on the 30th of August. My Ramadhan ended with the Eid prayer. After the prayer we went home with another family and ate Samosas and Siweya. In the evening we went to a restaurant in Bradford with 10 other families. The night was a blast. The top class food just made the night even better. After dinner one of the familiesinvited everyone for tea on the way back. Overall the night was epic.
On the second day in the morning we were invited to a close friend’s house in Liverpool. There we were greeted by an enormous amount of dishes, which tasted delicious. The children watched a film. It was amazing. In the evening we went to a relative’s house in Manchester for an Eid party. We met a new born baby girl who was only 10 days old. We gathered up in a room, with our food, and watched the India and England T20 International in which unfortunately India lost. The day was great and we made our way back home.
On the third day we went to Leicester to another relative’s house. Here we had Nihari, Paya and Biryani. The day was very good just like the food and it was amazing.
On Saturday we attended a Eid party organised in my school. Everybody was asked to bring in a dish and we took Sheik Kebabs. We were one of the first one to arrive so we helped with the preparations. After Maghrib Salaat we had food that wasdelicious. After the food the lads played a game of football. My team lost narrowly 5-6 but overall it was a great contest. It was a very good way to finish Eid.
This year Eid was great and people are already looking forward to Eid ul Adha.
Eid Mubarak!
[The writer is a young schoolboy based in Doncaster, England]