Happy Eid al-Fitr from all of us at IVAS - Centre for International Visiting Artists and Scholars! 🎉
Eid al-Fitr 🌙, also known as the festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of the month-long fasting tradition during Ramadan. It is a time of immense joy 😊 and celebration 🎉 for Muslims, as they express gratitude to Allah for granting them the strength and guidance to complete the fast. It is also a special occasion for strengthening family bonds and a sense of belonging in the community, as Muslims gather for special prayers, feasts, and social gatherings. During this time, Muslims also exchange greetings of "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Eid) with each other, along with embraces and well wishes. What’s more, Muslims are given a form of obligatory charity named Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayers (holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition) to ensure that everyone can partake in the festivities and have enough to eat. Eid al-Fitr signifies Muslims’ commitment to Islam ✨, acting as a reminder of the importance of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and devotion throughout the year.
🌟 Here are some first-hand insights into the festival as Yasmine from team IVAS shares that:
“Eid al-Fitr, also known as 'Sweet Feast' (Şeker Bayramı) in Turkey, is a wonderful 3-day celebration filled with delightful sweets like candies and baklava. The festivities kick off with the Eid Prayer in the morning and then it's a time to share treats with guests. Children love going door-to-door to receive candy from neighbours who are more than happy to join in the fun. Families come together to visit and enjoy the end of fasting. Before the holiday, homes get a nice deep clean and children receive new clothes as special gifts to wear. The highlight of Eid al-Fitr is definitely spending quality time with loved ones, visiting family and friends to spread joy and laughter.”