Eid is the greatest festival of the Muslims community. All over the world, Muslims celebrate it with great pomp and show, zeal and gusto. They observe fast for a full month after sighting the moon of Ramzan (or Ramadan). When the month of Ramzan (or Ramadan), is over and the moon of Eid is sighted, they end their roja (fast). The next day, the festival of Eid is celebrated.
During Ramzan, Muslims observe a fast for 30 days, starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon, the next month. Not even a glass of water is drunk during this holy month, however hot the weather may be or however thirsty one may feel.
It is believed that fasting in the month of Ramzan (or Ramadan) purifies the soul and prayers. It also opens the doors of heaven for them. So during the month of Ramzan, they lead a pure and holy life. They observe fasts, offer regular prayers in the form of namaz, read the holy book, feed the hungry and give alms to the poor. Charity is the greatest virtue to be practiced during the month of Ramzan. Fasting comes to an end when the new moon of Eid is sighted. The sight of the new moon of Eid is considered very pious and holy by the Muslims. It is a signal for the celebration of Eid the very next day.
On the day of Eid, Muslims wake up early in the morning. They take a bath and put on their best clothes. They visit the mosque and offer prayers in the form of namaz. Muslims embrace one another and exchange Eid greetings. Sweets are distributed, gifts are given and delicious dishes are prepared at home. Kheer is the most popular dish cooked on this day. At some places, Eid fairs are also held. Eid is a festival of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none. It teaches us to embrace all men and women as brothers and sisters. Eid exhorts us to bid goodbye to hatred, jealousy and enmity and bring in an era of love, sympathy and brotherhood.
Great importance is attached to Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr in India, as it is an important public holiday. All schools, colleges and public institutions remain closed on this day to mark its significance. Also, there exists a considerably large population of the Muslim minority, which adds to the cultural demographics of India. With time, these traditions have strengthened their interaction and intermingling with the Indian culture. Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr has, thus, seeped into India’s cultural milieu and is looked forward among people of all communities.
Jubel D’Cruz
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
