October 23, 2006

Much preparation and excitement precedes Eidul Fitr, particularly among families living in Muslim countries, for they can give full vent to their fervour and celebrate Eid in style, in accordance with the customs and traditions observed in their homeland. Certain practices are observed in all Muslim countries. Basically, Eid is looked upon as a day of family rather than public celebration, and a spirit of charity marks the entire month preceding the festivity as well as the day itself

Among the Muslims of the world, few festivals are welcomed with greater fervour than Eidul Fitr. Marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan when they fast everyday from dawn to dusk and strive to purify their minds, bodies and souls, it is a joyous occasion with an important religious significance. This is the month when the first verses of the Holy Quran ––– the final Book of Guidance sent down to mankind ––– were brought to Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) by the angel, Gabriel.

Much preparation and excitement precedes Eidul Fitr, particularly among families living in Muslim countries, for they can give full vent to their fervour and celebrate Eid in style, in accordance with the customs and traditions observed in their homeland.

For those living and working in non-Muslim countries, though, Eid is often no different from any other day. If it falls on a working day, and they don’t manage to get the day off, other than offering congregational prayers at the nearest designated site, they can’t really celebrate it the way they would wish to. Often, it is only over the weekends when these Muslims try and celebrate with friends and family by holding or attending get-togethers.

However, here we are going to concentrate on Eid celebrations in Muslim countries –– where Eid is a national holiday and typically at least three days are devoted to its celebration –– and bring into focus the diverse and interesting ways in which this religious festival is celebrated in different parts of the world.

Certain practices are observed in all Muslim countries, as indeed even in Pakistan. Basically, Eid is looked upon as a day of family, rather than public celebration and a spirit of charity marks the entire month preceding the festivity as well as the day itself.

Generally, if possible, new clothes are made for Eid during Ramazan, and many even spruce up their homes for the happy occasion. In Bahrain, people even celebrate the half-way point in Ramazan. On the 15th day, children dress smartly and call on their friends’ and neighbours’ homes in the evening and are given sweets.

In Pakistan and Bangladesh, ‘chaand raat’ – when the new moon is sighted denoting the eve of the first of Shawwaal and Eidul Fitr – has become as important a festive occasion as Eid itself. Females of all ages flock to the marketplace to buy bangles to match their Eid clothes and apply henna on their palms.

Entire families can be spotted doing last minute shopping or even just window shopping in order to be part of the general mayhem taking place on the streets, till late into the night.

In Bangladesh, young boys start their celebration with ‘potka’ (fireworks) and ‘tarabati’. Interestingly, in Nigeria, particularly in Kano, three gunshots by guards of the Emir in Kano, serve as the required notice to formally announce both the end of fasting and the Eid ul-Fitr prayers, the following morning.

On Eid day, families get up very early and partake of a light, sweet snack – in Pakistan, sewainyan (a dish of fine, toasted vermicelli noodles) is generally cooked. Kashmiri Muslims, do not prepare sewainyan for Eid. Instead, they make several meat dishes, sweetmeats and kahva (Kashmiri tea, made with dry fruits, spices and a special kind of Chinese or Tibetan tea, known as ‘Bombay Tea’).

Then, attired in new clothes men go to attend special prayers held specifically for the occasion in mosques, large open areas, stadiums or arenas. In Pakistan as in many other Muslim countries, women offer their prayers at home. Before the Eid prayers begin, every Muslim – man, woman and child – must pay Zakat-al-Fitr, alms for the month of Ramazan. This equates to about two kilogrammes of a basic foodstuff or its cash equivalent per person and is generally collected at the mosque to be disbursed to the needy. Many give it during Ramazan, so that the recipient can utilise it for Eid purchases.

The Eid prayer is generally short, and is followed by a khutba. After prayers, worshippers greet and embrace one another in a spirit of peace, love and brotherhood. In fact, visiting friends and relatives during the three days of celebration is common in most Muslim countries.

In Pakistan, people meet one another with the greeting ‘Eid mubarak!’ which loosely translated, means ‘Happy Eid!” Eidi – gift money, no matter how little – is widely exchanged among friends and relatives.

In India, Eid is celebrated in much the same way as in Pakistan, with one quaint difference – brothers pay a visit to their married sisters and take along sewainyan and other eatables with some clothes, bangles and money for them.

In Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Egypt, Eid is celebrated as in Pakistan and the majority of Muslim countries. Known also as ‘Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ or ‘Hari Raya Puasa’ – which literally mean ‘day of celebration’ – Eid is the biggest holiday and the most awaited one in both Malaysia and Singapore. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of ‘Hari Raya’, creating a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country.

Many banks, government and private offices are closed for as long as a week in celebration of the festival, and festivities last for a whole month, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The night prior to Eid is spent doing the takbir which is held in the mosques. In Indonesia takbiran is a big celebration. Children as well as old men – recite takbir with a microphone while participating in a parade. They travel around the town, usually beating the bedug, a large drum, for background music to the takbir.

In many parts of Malaysia, especially in rural areas, oil lamps or pelita are lit up in the compounds of houses. Eid also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of the Muslims, from major metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampong – literally going back to hometown to celebrate Eid with one’s parents – in Malaysia, and mudik in Indonesia.

On Eid day, Malaysian Muslims and indeed even Indonesians greet one another with Maaf zahir dan batin which means “I’m sorry physically and spiritually” because Eidul Fitr is not just a time for celebrations but also for Muslims to clean their souls.

Special food is cooked for the occasion. It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on Eid. The dress for men is called baju melayu which is worn together with songket, while the women’s attire is called baju kurung and baju kebaya. Non-Malay Muslims also wear costumes of their culture.

As in Pakistan, once the Eid prayers are offered it is common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the graves of their loved ones before visiting or entertaining relatives and friends. Children are given token sums of money, known as duit raya by their elders.

In contrast, in Iran, Eid is a highly personal event and celebrations are quite muted. Called Eideh Fitr by most Iranians, charity is important on that day. Typically, each Muslim family gives food to those in need. Often meat or ghorbani, which is an expensive food item in Iran, is given by wealthier families to those who have less. The tradition in many families holds that for each member of a household on Eid, one person outside of the family has to be fed.

China is a different story, though. As in other Muslim countries, the day begins with Eid congregations held at mosques, but after prayers, in their traditional style, children walk through the streets with sweets in hand, folk artists perform, and people prepare a variety of traditional snacks. According to state regulations, Muslims in China get one day off from work for the religious festival, but in some areas such as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, they enjoy a three-day holiday.

In Nigeria, in Kano, on the other hand, congregational Eid prayers are immediately followed by a get-together at the communal level for a celebration galore. And it starts with the Emir, who only for this specific occasion, treks some three to four kilometres to the prayer ground, where he is joined by 500,000 Muslims in prayers. At the end of the prayer, the Emir in full royal regalia mounts his horse draped in beautiful colours, which takes him back to the palace. For the general public though, Eid provides an opportunity to exchange visits and pleasantries and a forum for traditional ceremonies such as wrestling, horse racing and other entertainment depending on the area.

No matter which Muslim country one may be living in, Eid is bound to be a colourful and joyous affair, made all the more interesting with the culture and traditions of the area you may find yourself in.
 

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