Family Welcomes Eid
Delivering food to the less fortunate in Suva has been a wonderful experience for the Haniff family.
Eid is one of the most anticipated festivals that Muslims look forward to celebrate. For the past two years, Eid celebrations were halted because of COVID-19 restrictions. Now that restrictions are lifted, our Muslim brothers and sisters are taking the opportunity to welcome the joyous occasion.
Raizal Haniff and his family are equally excited to welcome guests. They have dedicated Eid to the poor and needy.
Annually, the Haniff family performed Zakat (donation) to the Fiji Muslim League. This year, they’ve decided to distribute 250 food packs
in Suva.
Mr Haniff, who is the president of the Fiji Motorsports Association, said the holy month was a time to reflect on helping poor families who needed food.
“When we see these unfortunate ones, we realise how fortunate and blessed to have everything,” he said.
“And this is the whole idea of the month of Ramadan (fasting) where we can reflect ourselves with what the poor and needy go through every day. We fast so we feel how the unfortunate ones feel.”
He said we must create peace and harmony by giving and sharing during these trying times.
“Delivering food packs was a great experience not just for me but also for my children as well. We had delivered it beforehand so that families can celebrate Eid happily,” Mr Haniff added.
“I feel that the majority of Muslims should help the poor and see how tough life is for them.
“It is not only about giving money,
it is also about sacrificing your time during the holy month and sacrificing your wealth as well which we are obliged to give.”
He also said the pandemic had taught his family to strengthen bonds and live in unity.
“Normally, Eid celebrations are about getting together with families and friends. We had missed that in the past two years due to COVID-19. I felt that we enjoyed more with our close family during that time and it was fun,” he said.
Mr Haniff said Eid celebrations would start with a Dua (prayer).
“I will be going to the Mosque, while the ladies will prepare the feast at home. This year, we have done an open house invitation,” he said.
We believe that we do not need to give out invitations for such festivals as it is a time for togetherness and sharing sweets and laughter.
“For us, Eid is a New Year. Things we have done in previous years, we reflect on what we will do this year.
“We need to make a promise to change our lives. We need to pray more and help more people and dedicate more time to Allah (God).”
Mr Haniff’s wife, Maimuna, who is the finance director at the British American Tobacco, said they would have a ‘Henna’ night during the sighting of the moon at home.
“The excitement with my three beautiful girls is pretty hyped up. We had started with Eid preparations for the past two weekends,” she said.
“We have so many girls in our family, so everyone will gather at my place to get Henna designing done on their hands.
“Henna is not really a part of the Eid tradition but this is something we have created to make this festival exciting. I brought their bangles and got a lady to do their henna.”
She also said Eid celebrations during the lockdown were not exciting but they were pleased to celebrate it with their families and friends.