Eid Around The World
With 0.9 million-1.4 billion followers of Islam around the world, Muslims are the second largest in population after Christians. And they are spread all around the world, be it an African country or gulf regions. In such a state, Eid is one of the most celebrated festivals around the world. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims perform the rituals of fasting in a very accurate manner.
There is a diversity in the eid ul fitr traditions and customs of celebrating Eid due to Muslims scattered in different parts of world. While Iraqis and Palestinians embark on the festivities by having sweetmeat called klaicha, Egyptian Muslims go to Mosques with an empty stomach and later on have an elaborate luncheon with a fish delicacy in the middle of it.
We take you through the gala of celebrations of Eid and let you feel the nerve of the world while they are rejoicing in the festivities of Eid. Experience the swing of jollifications at countries where there is a greater density of Muslim population, such as India, Pakistan, USA and UAE.
Wishing you all “Eid Mubarak”.
Eid In India
After Turkey invaded India in around fourteenth century, the Islamic religion was introduced to Indians. Since then Islamic religion is an integral part of Indian culture. Around 16 percent of the population of India constitute of Muslims and thus, the effect is inevitable and profound as well. Thus, the festivals of Islamic people are of great importance in the country and are celebrated with equal fervor as that of Hindu festivals. Eid being the most awaited as well as religiously most significant festivals is a cause for festive mood all across the country.
Muslims are spread all across the country and thus, the celebrations are not confined to particular regions. Eid in India is considered as a National Holiday. The mosques are full of Muslims for Eid prayers.
Markets offer varied sweets and special delicacies to make Eid all the more exciting for people. The special Eid dish ‘Sewaiyaan’ comes in different forms and colors and are loved by people of all age.
Celebrations of Eid are more or less same all over the world. But it is also true that Eid is colored in country’s culture where it is being celebrated. Eid in India too has adapted to the culture and thus the mode of celebrations are unique. In India, Muslims donate money and other necessary items to the people in need.
Islam preaches brotherhood, love and peace and asks it’s followers to spread them all over. Eid helps greatly in this task. The festival unites everyone with one chord, the chord of happiness, which is experienced by all. Be it a Hindu or a Muslim, the festival brings for them an excuse to extend a hand of love and affection so that the bond gets strong with passing time.
Eid In Pakistan
In Pakistan, Eid-Ul-Fitr is called as ‘Meethi Eid’ (Sweet Eid) and Eid-Ul-Adha is called as ‘Bakra Eid’ (Sacrifice Eid). On both Eid, Sheer Khurma is a must to be the part of feasts at homes.
It is a special dish made by mixing dates and milk, which is cooked till one-fourth of the original quantity is left in an open pan. Sheer Khurma is served along with sweet wheat noodles. Shops too are full of various sweets. Many sweetshop owners sell their special dishes. Most of these sweets consist of goat meat mixed with Khoya and khurma.
Eid is not only a one day show in Pakistan. The festivities continue for around a month. The entire aura is filled with jubilations and every heart is drenched into it. Despite all these festivities, Muslims in Pakistan celebrate Eid in most simple way possible. They enjoy but do not overdo anything. Instead they donate money for charity purposes. After all, the lesson of Eid is to bring a smile on other people’s faces and destroy the evil inside.
Eid In UAE
The festive day commences with people getting ready with their new clothes on. Not only men, but young boys too wear the traditional dress which contains a long white traditional thoub and the head dress consists of a check patterned scarf fixed with the help of a black ring like turban, which is called Ogal. The bottom of the head dress is Tagiyah. In the same dress all of them perform their prayers in a mosque.
UAE is mainly an Islamic country and therefore, the enthusiasm for the festival of Eid is certainly more than any other country in the world. The same ocean of fervor to celebrate the occasion can be seen in fairs organized during the season. They are decorated with lights and the traditional symbols like crescent moon, stars etc are hanging thereby adding a special charm to the settings.
These fairs look enticing at night. People come with their friends and family and enjoy the day. They indulge in different celebratory games, henna painting on hands etc and see the performances of clowns and jugglers.
This is a great way of socializing and freak out in modern times for most of the people. The aura created in the festive season is heavenly in UAE. After the strict rules of the month of Ramadan or the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, this is the time to enjoy the gift of God called life to it’s fullest. Despite all these activities, the rituals and customs are given the utmost importance.
Eid in USA
Eid is celebrated the same day as Thanksgiving Day is in America. This is the time for Americans to pray God on the occasion of the advent of Harvest season. Thus, Christians too are in a festive mood. Moreover, the American holidays fall during the same season. People wear new clothes and visit mosque to offer prayers to Allah. The gift exchanging ceremony among loved ones follow the Eid prayer rituals. Then comes the time to celebrate and enjoy the day.
All Muslims along with their kith and kin either go to Eid fairs or spend the time at home treating their guests with elaborate feasts. As in USA most of the Muslims are foreign migrants, their relatives live far of. Thus, going to fairs is the most viable option.
These fairs and fests offer a great opportunity for them to interact with fellow Muslims. They indulge in games and participate in various activities. There is something or the other for everybody, be it a child, an adult, a woman, or an aged person. Such fairs are usually organized at places where the population of Muslims is more dense.
