Eid Mubarak

by Hasina Gori | Sep 2, 2011 | Featured 1, News

THE fasting month of Ramadan came to an end on Wednesday with a day of feasting called Eid ul Fitr. Eid ul Fitr or the ‘festival of fast breaking’ is the most celebratory of  all Muslim festivals.

It is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. The festival marks the beginning of celebrations and merriment.

Eid ul Fitr is synonymous with joy and thanksgiving. On this day it is customary to greet one another by saying Eid Mubarak, which directly translates as blessed festival but means may you enjoy a blessed festival.
The day begins just after sunrise with the compulsory prayer which is usually read outside. As the name suggests, Eid ul Fitr is a day filled with a lot of feasting.
Breakfast is the meal that sets the tone for the day; the tables are heavy with a variety of meats and sweet dishes.

Every table has a jug of Eid milk, which is a sweet, warm milk drink flavoured with almonds and vermicelli. Lunch is usually a traditional briyani meal, followed by tea with savouries and biscuits, and then supper.
It is customary on this day for families and friends to get together and exchange gifts or plates of sweetmeats.
The highlight of the day for children is collecting money (Eidie) and gifts, especially for those young ones who attempted to fast during the month.
Those less fortunate are not left out of the celebration with many families feeding the poor in their homes or visiting orphanages to share a meal.