As Ramadan comes to an end, many Islam believers will end the month long fasting with the celebration of Eid- ul-fitr (EID). The Eid al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast-Breaking) is also known as the Eid as-Saghir (the Lesser Eid), and comes first in the Islamic calendar. Eid falls on the first three days after Ramadan (Noakes, Greg). Eid-ul-fitr “One of the most important holidays of the Muslim calendar lasts for three days. It is a festival of victory and faith, time for relaxation, of hope renewed, of strengthened resolution to do what is right, and of good will toward all”( El-Bakry, Fathia). The festival begins with the sight of the new moon in the sky, but since the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, the Eid falls on an earlier date each
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In most Muslim countries, schools and business close during the festival (Gulevich 315). In addition, in the Middle East many people go to the movies during Eid-ul-Fitr, as theaters close in some countries during Ramadan. Women decorate their hands with henna paintings in the Golf and many are able to visit the graves of relatives who have passed way. If one where to live in a country like the United States it becomes more difficult to celebrate the holiday, since the country isn’t influenced by Islamic beliefs. In Greg Noakes work one gets a better understanding of how hard it is to observe the Islamic holidays of Eid in the United States. Since, Eid often occurs during the week, and many Muslims have difficulty taking off from work or missing classes. In addition, many Muslims have family members who live overseas, and their absence from the celebrations can be difficult on the families. Furthermore, being in a country that doesn’t observe Eid can be difficult because one may miss the festive ambience of the season that they are accustomed to experiencing in a country that did observe the holiday. Even though Eid may be difficult to celebrate in North America it is not impossible as one learns from Riad Z. Abdelkarim work. One learns that being in a country that is made of many different ethnic and religious groups can be a wonderful experience. Abdelkarim describes an Eid celebration in South Carolina “Men, women and children of all stripes and backgrounds--brown, white, black, yellow--dressed in their Eid-best clothes. While many donned typical Western attire such as suits with ties and dresses, some opted for traditional ethnic clothing from their places of origin. Men wearing Afghan turbans mingled with others wearing Pakistani gowns or traditional Arabic headdresses. Women wearing flowery African robes mixed with others
In most Muslim countries, schools and business close during the festival (Gulevich 315). In addition, in the Middle East many people go to the movies during Eid-ul-Fitr, as theaters close in some countries during Ramadan. Women decorate their hands with henna paintings in the Golf and many are able to visit the graves of relatives who have passed way. If one where to live in a country like the United States it becomes more difficult to celebrate the holiday, since the country isn’t influenced by Islamic beliefs. In Greg Noakes work one gets a better understanding of how hard it is to observe the Islamic holidays of Eid in the United States. Since, Eid often occurs during the week, and many Muslims have difficulty taking off from work or missing classes. In addition, many Muslims have family members who live overseas, and their absence from the celebrations can be difficult on the families. Furthermore, being in a country that doesn’t observe Eid can be difficult because one may miss the festive ambience of the season that they are accustomed to experiencing in a country that did observe the holiday. Even though Eid may be difficult to celebrate in North America it is not impossible as one learns from Riad Z. Abdelkarim work. One learns that being in a country that is made of many different ethnic and religious groups can be a wonderful experience. Abdelkarim describes an Eid celebration in South Carolina “Men, women and children of all stripes and backgrounds--brown, white, black, yellow--dressed in their Eid-best clothes. While many donned typical Western attire such as suits with ties and dresses, some opted for traditional ethnic clothing from their places of origin. Men wearing Afghan turbans mingled with others wearing Pakistani gowns or traditional Arabic headdresses. Women wearing flowery African robes mixed with others