Thoughts turn to the less fortunate as fasting ends
Thousands of Kiwi Muslims have gathered to celebrate Eid-al-fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
About 12,000 people were expected at Auckland’s Eden Park throughout the day yesterday for dua (prayers) and a wide array of food as they broke their fast and celebrated with their community.
Both Ramadan and Eid fell during lockdown in 2020, and many 2021 attendees said it was exciting to be able to finally celebrate with the wider community again.
Khadija Talbi and her family drove up from Hamilton especially for the bigger celebration in Auckland.
‘‘It’s great for kids to feel the spirit of Eid, and get a strong connection with everyone,’’ Talbi said.
She wants her son Omar to experience the joy of Eid, she said.
‘‘We are all Muslim, different ethnicity, but we’re all here for the same reason.’’
For Karishma Ali, Eid is a chance to pray for humanity and peace. She said she felt fortunate to celebrate Eid while many Muslims in Covid-ravaged countries were unable to.
As an international student in
New Zealand, she said the celebrations and praying together were reminders of home.
‘‘When we go to prayer house, we feel home.’’
Yash Merchant’s elderly parents are in lockdown in Gujarat, India. He was keeping them, and all of the Covid-hit nation, in his prayers this Eid.
Nesar Ahmed came to the celebration with his wife and two children.
He said the month-long fasting during Ramadan was a time to show respect for poor people, who did not have the means to buy food.
‘‘We are praying for all Muslims and non-Muslims who are suffering,’’ Ahmed said.
He has family in both Bangladesh and India, some of whom are being treated for Covid-19 in hospital.
Latifa Duad said she was usually happy on Eid, but this year she felt conflicted about how to celebrate as her thoughts were with those affected by Covid-19, especially those in India.
She said she was mindful of all those who lost loved ones throughout Ramadan.
On the bright side, Duad said she managed to get a sleep-in until 6am yesterday now fasting is over. For the past month, she’s been getting up at 4.30am daily to eat before dawn breaks.
Dana Hassneiah flew from Miami in the United States to join her family in Auckland for Eid. It had been challenging organising managed isolation and leave, but worth the effort as she had not seen her family for two years, she said.
Hassneiah, who was born in Kuwait as a Palestinian refugee, said this year she was praying for those suffering in the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza.