We waited for Diwali, they waited for Eid. We liked their firecrackers, and they liked our 'sewaiyas' and 'sheers'. These are my school day memory recollections.
Eid ul-fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramzaan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and the first day of the lunar month Shawwal. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "breaking the fast".
It is a day of joy, bonding, helping one another and spreading happiness all over the world. As a child, we used to run to our terrace to have a glimpse of the “Eid ka chand" on the 29th or the 30th day of Ramzaan. My parents indicated the thread-like silvery line in the sky and we used to strain our eyes to have a glimpse of the beautiful moon. The next day was Eid, a day on which it is advisable to wear new clothes (or the best available ones), offer prayer and pay alms to the poor in the form of Sadaqa al-fitr before Eid prayers.
This shows that this great and beautiful festival has something more than just 'sewaiyas' and 'sheers'. According to Prophet Muhammad, each person should give away in charity grains (wheat) to the poor.
The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centres or in mosques. It is on this gracious day that we get a chance to forgive and forget differences or animosities with others that may have occurred during the year.
{{/usCountry}}The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centres or in mosques. It is on this gracious day that we get a chance to forgive and forget differences or animosities with others that may have occurred during the year.
{{/usCountry}}As children, we used to rush to our friends and relatives after the namaaz, competing with my brother for Eidi (some money or gifts given by relatives and elders to children). How the sight of the entire town changed on this day — the balloon walas, the chat walas, the swinging Jhoolas and kids in their best of dresses.
Festivals like Eid ul-fitr are a blessing, as they give us an opportunity to spread the message of universal brotherhood and paint the whole world with love and generosity.