New Muslims excited to celebrate Eid
dubai — After a month of character building, spiritual highs and building a better relationship with the Quran, it is time to end the period of fasting and begin the feasting part, on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.
For new Muslims, especially the ones who will be celebrating their first Islamic festival — Eid Al Fitr, the day holds much more meaning than just being about fancy clothes and elaborate meals. British expat Darren Streete says it is a time to reflects back on the whole journey of Ramadan that he says was ” more enlightening” than he expected and “physically easier” than he thought.
“For me, Eid will be a great time to celebrate with those close to me, of the dedication we have all gone through over the holy month. I am fascinated to know how I will react to get into a new routine.”
Celebrating their first ever Eid as Muslims, newly married converts Luis and Laaiqah Carreno it will be the “most beautiful day of the year until now”.
“Ramadan was a blessing and now it is time to celebrate our accomplishment of being able to make the most of the holy month. On this special day, I am looking to spoil the one I love, cook up a storm, give him gifts, take him out and I will make sure to dress in my most beautiful hijab and abaya... This is way of celebrating and being a happy and proud Muslimah,” said South African expat Laaiqah Carreno, who embraced Islam in January 2018.
“We will let people know that there is ease in our religion; we will go out and have a good time within the confines of the Shariah. May our Eid be a genuine one, not just a celebration of clothes, perfume and of greetings, but an Eid where Allah has forgiven our sins, where he’s accepted our worship,” she added.
Giving out her message on Eid, Laaiqah said: “I hope for everyone to promise Allah that during this Eid we will not engage in anything that will cause the wrath of Allah or make Him displeased with us. I hope that I will also remember that Eid is (among many things) a day of eating, but not of gluttony and that I will present myself in a way that pleases Allah.
While some celebrate the festival with family, many expats lament the fact that they are away from their loved ones.
Shaikh Aisha Ameen, 31, who embraced Islam formally just a couple of days ago, was a bit worried that she may have to spend her Eid alone, as her husband was back in India after his work contract got over. She has no family in the city to celebrate with. But Aisha spent the last ten Iftars and Suhoors of Ramadan at a mosque near her place, where she made friends with lot of Muslim women who invited her to their place to celebrate Eid.
“My morning will begin with the congregational Eid prayers, then the sermon and finally the hundreds of Muslims hugging each other and saying Eid Mubarak! After which I will visit my Muslim friends who have invited me over to have some sumptuous biryani, sheer and other Eid special stuff,” said Ameen.
Special Eid party for new muslims
The new converts the Islamic Information Center of Dubai have also organised an ‘Eid gathering for everyone in the UAE’ on Friday from 5.30am to 8am at Dar Al Ber Auditorium, Shaikh Zayed Road.
The centre has organised the event under the slogan ‘One Family’. In a brochure, the centre stated: “The Eid prayers and sermon will start at around 5:45 am on the first day of Eid, in Dar Al Ber Auditorium, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, which will be followed by various fun-filled activities and games. We have prepared exciting gifts and giveaway, along with refreshments. Non-Muslims are also encouraged to join us and witness this unique gathering and share the happiness of Eid with all of us. Feel free to know more and register on www.islamicic.com/eid.”
saman@khaleejtimes.com