Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan with Eid ul Fitr
Muslims from over the globe celebrated Ramadan over the last month and the event, which started on March 10 (Sehri) culminated last Thursday (Iftaar) when Eid ul Fitr was observed.
A member of the Muslim community of the city, Nazia Carrim, explained that in Polokwane, Muslims fasted every day from just after 05:00 until around 17:30, depending on their location.
Men went to the mosque where a different chapter of the Holy Quran was recited by the Malana (spiritual leader) every evening.
In Polokwane, the Malana recited the entire Quran in Arabic without any notes. Translations of the Holy Quran were available in Afrikaans and English to allow all to follow the proceedings.
When celebrating Eid ul Fitr last Thursday morning, male Muslims went to the local mosques or the cricket stadium in Nirvana for early morning prayers and thereafter visited the cemetery to pay respects to the deceased and also visit the elderly.
“Then we go home where family and friends gather for the celebration. All are welcome and we dress in our best clothes and enjoy specially prepared delicatessen, but still in moderation.
Children receive small gifts and we reach
out to the underprivileged members of our community, regardless of the colour, creed or spiritual beliefs,” Carrim added.
Carrim observed Eid ul Fitr with her family last Thursday and explained that during Ramadan Muslims are at peace with the world and with themselves.
“It is a time for devotion and it allows us to do introspection and to make yourself a better human being,” she says. No weddings, engagements or other parties are held during Ramadan and it is advisable to be at home, to let the body rest and experience a physical and mental cleansing process.
According to Carrim, Muslims just eat what they have after the break of the fast every day.
“We believe in moderation and do not take anything to eat or drink in excess,” Carrim says.
“People with physical and health challenges and children do not have to fast.
One of the interesting facts about
Ramadan is that the event moves forward approximately 10 days every year, depending on the stand of the moon.
“That means that it takes about 36 years for the event to rotate and it allows Muslims to experience Ramadan during winter with a shorter time of fasting and then again during summer when the days are longer,” Carrim explained.