Virtual Eid celebrations for Courier Country Muslims

Families in Tayside and Fife using their imaginations to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan by creating sense of community online

Muslims across Tayside and Fife have striven to help each other celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, despite still being in lockdown.

Eid, the breaking of the fast, is usually marked with festivals and large gatherings but this year families and friends had to use their imagination to create a sense of community.

The fast ended at sunset on Saturday with the sighting of the new moon after 30 straight days without drinking or eating during the day.

Families from all over Scotland had been expected to join the annual Eid in the Park celebrations at Lochee Park in Dundee before they were cancelled.

Instead, Eid bags were delivered to 800 children across the city, a joint effort involving local mosques and Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI).

Faisal Hussein, YYI chief executive, said the celebrations were a drastic change from what is usually one of the highlights of the Muslim calendar.

He said: “Since we are in lockdown we wanted to create a sense of community for the children and the families.

“It has been really weird. We usually go to the mosque at 8am and meet hundreds of people then have a big breakfast and lots of hugs. Later on we visit family and share more food then big families get together for big feasts.

“This year, everyone is having low-key intimate family moments, with presents delivered hugs.”

As well as fasting, Muslims are required to refrain from any and all sinful deeds for the period and make time to help others.

It is believed the ritual brings greater understanding of the suffering of others as well as increasing closeness to God.

Mahmud Sarwar Ratho, a trustee of the Scottish Islamic and Cultural Centre on Dura Street in Dundee, said: “Normally people would come to the mosque to pray, hundreds of people, but we can’t do anything like that.

“I have been in Dundee for 39 years and I really feel like I am part of the community here, and we are being deprived of our community at this time. “I’ve never seen an Eid like this.” Elsewhere, the Perthshire Welfare Society worked alongside Perth and Kinross Council to deliver mithai, a traditional sweet treat signifying good luck, to Muslim families. Perth Bridge was also lit up green to commemorate the event.

In Fife, Kirkcaldy Central remotely and also virtual

Mosque would be the normal gathering place. Instead, Imaam Mansoor Saab used the power of technology and Facebook live to bring prayers into the living rooms of families across the community. He said filming daily prayers in his own home had become a part of his daily routine.

“As we pray five times a day it’s been difficult, especially for those used to visiting the mosque on a daily basis, to get used to the importance of staying at home, staying safe and protecting our frontline workers,” Mansoor added.

“Despite the lockdown I will be urging families to participate in the celebration via the social media platforms so that we can still come together in a virtual capacity via technology.”

“I’ve never seen an Eid like this. MAHMUD SARWAR RATHO