The celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr culminates a month of fasting wherein the faithful have spent their time praying and beseeching Almighty Allah for forgiveness and mercy. For many, Ramadan was not just an abstention from food and drink. Rather, it’s an exercise in patience and discipline. Eid is the celebration for those who fasted and obeyed Allah’s rules and teachings. It is for those who spent the month of Ramadan in complete devotion to Allah. Eid is a time when Muslim community comes together to share in each other’s joy and blessings and also to lessen the burden of those who may be suffering.
Here at our hometown, we are blessed by Islam. Maldives, we have our unique ways and traditions to how we celebrate Eid. It is preceded by people shopping and looking for grocery to make the grand Eid lunch. Also for new clothes for men women and children. Buying gifts for near and dear ones. It is a time when bright lights from homes and shops illuminate our life. We use the Eid and following days to spread happiness and costal harmony by visiting different atolls, islands, friends and relatives.
Highlight of the day is the special prayer of Eid. “Eid namadhu” is performed in most of the mosques across the country. A short prayer of “two rakaths” to acknowledge and thank almighty Allah for the blessings bestowed on us during the month of Ramadan. The day start with a beautiful prayer. Where people gather not only to pray, to shake hands and convey greetings of the day.
Gifts are exchanged during Eid by young and old alike. We also visit the elderly and the sick. Eid is a time where all kinds of festive prevails. Many of us gormandize to make up for lost food during the month of Ramadan.
Every country’s traditions are unique. Maldives, especially in the scattered islands Eid is well celebrated preferably to the capital Male’ city. Traditional dances and folks are performed by men, women and children. The “Koadi kedun” which the entire island community gather is an interesting and artistic concept. Some make a big artificial fish out of the coconut palms and ride it through while singing and howling. “Fen kulhi” another very unique tradition where men and women throw water on each other and run around hiding within the island. Some hilariously says this game makes and breaks marriages and new relationships develop. It’s just a belief though. The latest fashion and fun concept of stage shows continues with live music dance and dramas for three days.
Here i will change the feel of my article a bit.
However, with all the going around sometime we forget our lesser privileged brethren. We forget that there are many out there who have nothing to celebrate. There are those among our brother’s and sister’s for whom Eid day is just another day. There are those who will open the cupboard on Eid day and find them bare. There are those who in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless deprived of company, they will have no one to offer solace or comfort. Let us therefore see to it that our deprived brethren welcome the day of Eid with warmth and hope.
There are millions of children in war torn areas of Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, the poor and downtrodden areas of Africa, Asia, South America and many more countries, who do not have the basic necessities to make is sat a different day. Let us raise our hands to pray for them. As at least in prayers we can be generous. May almighty Allah bless the people and children in all these countries.
Many of us donate money to charity and full fill our religious duty on Eid day. However, we actually meet the recipients of our charity the perspective of charity changes. There is a feeling of belonging when the recipient and giver meet. I believe Eid could be an opportunity for changing lives.
Islamic ideology teaches us to be kind and compassionate. Holy prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon him) said that “I and provider of the orphan will be together” And what greater prize is there for anyone of us than to be around our beloved prophet. All we need forth at is compassion, sincerity and a feeling of brotherhood and understanding. And that will decide the quality of our life on earth and the hereafter
