Muslims in Sri Lanka and the world over will celebrate ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ (Ramadan Festival) on April 11. This year, coincidentally, it falls just before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu) on April 12 and 13, giving an opportunity for all three communities (Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim) to celebrate the festivities together in a spirit of harmony and brotherhood. Good Friday and Easter, two holy days for Christians, also fell during the Ramadan period, reflecting the truly multi-religious dimension of Sri Lanka.
The Eid festival begins with the sighting of the New Moon for the month of Shawal, which marks the end of Ramadan. (Incidentally, a similar event takes place at Avurudu with the Nava Sanda Baleema ritual).
Recurring happiness
Eid means recurring happiness or festivity, and ul Fitr means breaking of the fast. Eid-ul-Fitr is thus an important religious festival celebrated by Muslims the world over. Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the conclusion of the month of dawn to dusk fasting observed during Ramadan.
Muslims believe the month of Ramadan is the holiest month which teaches them about all aspects of spiritual purification. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Every year, Muslims around the world fast during daylight – from dawn until dusk abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger.
Fasting (Sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which forms the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other Pillars are Faith (Shahada), Prayer (Salat), Charity (Zakat) and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj), which each Muslim should undertake at least once in his or her lifetime.
Suhoor and Iftar
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims wake up early in the morning before the ‘Fajr’ morning prayer to have a pre-dawn meal called ‘Suhoor’ and they end fasting for the day with a meal referred to as ‘Iftar’ after the sunset. They usually invite people from other communities too to this meal.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Children who have not reached puberty, the elderly, those who are physically or mentally incapable of fasting, the sick, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and travellers who have to cross many time zones are exempt from fasting.
The month of Ramadan is significant for Muslims because it is celebrated as the month during which Prophet Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Qur’an – the Holy Book of Islam. The Holy Book was bestowed not only for Muslims. It gives a message to the whole of mankind. It teaches every good deed to the whole of humanity. The Holy Qur’an does not teach violence, as portrayed in some Western literature.
The date of commencement of the lunar Hijri month varies, based on the sighting of the New Moon by local religious authorities. This is not limited to Islam – religions such as Buddhism are also based on the lunar calendar.
Therefore, the exact day of celebration varies according to the locality, while some countries celebrate Eid on the same day as Saudi Arabia, where the Mecca is located.
Muslims start the end of Ramadan celebrations with special congregational prayers known as Salathul-Eid. It consists of two Rakats (units) and is generally offered in an open space or in large halls in mosques.
Praying together
Every year it is a beautiful sight to see Muslims praying together shoulder to shoulder at Galle Face Green, in Colombo and other such places around the world. According to Islamic teachings, Muslims are commanded by Allah to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakath and Fitra (Charity) before offering the Eid prayers.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of joy and thanksgiving for Muslims. On this day, Muslims display their joy for the health, strength and opportunities of life, which Almighty Allah has given them, to fulfill their obligations of fasting and other good deeds during the month of Ramadan.
It is also a day of forgiveness and good feelings towards other fellow human beings, values which are also reflected during the Avurudu by Sinhalese and Tamils. This festival originated after the advent of Islam during the period of Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic festivals were initiated in Madinah after the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah according to certain traditions.
Some Islamic historical records say that when the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found the people celebrating two specific days on which they would entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked them about the nature of these festivities and they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation.
Two days of festivity
Upon hearing this, the Prophet said that Almighty Allah has fixed two days of festivity instead of these, which are better. They are Eid ul-Fitr (Ramadan festival) and Eid-ul-Adha (Hajj festival).
Eid ul Fitr is celebrated for two or three days and the common greeting during this festival is Eid Mubarak or ‘Happy Eid.’ Muslims are encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with others or any animosities that may have occurred during the year.
Muslims wake up early in the morning before sunrise and offer Salathul Fajr (Pre-sunrise prayer). According to custom, they shower, don new clothes and apply perfume before leaving for prayers.
It is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid. It is customary to have breakfast with a sweet such as a date before attending Eid prayers. Both men and women go to the mosque at different times and perform their prayers separately, in different halls.
It is a ritual to go for Eid prayers on foot if the mosque is not too far from one’s home. Soon after the prayers, the Imam (who conducts the prayers) gives a sermon on a topical subject. After the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centres or halls. Eid gifts, known as Eidi (cash gifts), are given to children and close relatives.
They meet and greet each other with a traditional hug of friendship. Before returning home, they give charity to the needy and the poor, to further make it possible for everybody to enjoy the day. This is given to all needy persons, regardless of religion or community. Islam teaches its followers to treat neighbours be they Muslim or non-Muslim the way they would like to be treated by others. Prophet Muhammad said, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while the neighbour to his side goes hungry”. He applied these principles to the letter when he ruled Madinah for some time.
Eid breakfast
At home, family members enjoy a special Eid breakfast with various types of sweets and desserts. For the first noon meal in a month, Muslims in Sri Lanka usually have biriyani, a mixed rice dish with meats and vegetables and a dessert of Watalappam, a coconut custard pudding made with eggs and jaggery. Young girls and children enjoy applying mehendi, a form of temporary skin decoration on their hands and feet during Eid.
Fasting expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community. It is a month when Muslims show their empathy for the poor, give charity, worship, practise steadfastness and patience. The month of Ramadan also teaches a Muslim to stay away from worldly desires and to focus entirely on Almighty Allah and thank Him for his blessings. It is a rejuvenation of the religion and creates a stronger bond between the Muslim and Almighty Allah.
Muslims believe that whatever supplications (Dua) that are submitted to Almighty Allah will definitely be accepted during the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is the opportunity to pray for the nation and the whole world seeking the help of Almighty Allah for our well-being. May Almighty Allah make life easy and peaceful for the whole of humanity, regardless of any man-made barriers. May His blessings help end the devastating wars in the Holy Land and other parts of the world.
