Over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world will be celebrating the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr over the weekend, which marks the end of the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan.
Surely, it is a time to rejoice! A time of happiness and joy! One may think that the long arduous month of fasting and abstaining from food, drink and the pleasures of the world is finally over! The burden has finally been released and now is a time to relax, eat and enjoy. Not quite. Ramadan is a month of blessings; a spiritually enlightening month for reformation, realisation and reflection; by no means a burden. The celebration of Eid is in actual fact a commemoration of many positive changes brought about in a Muslim.
Whether it be Christmas, Diwali, Remembrance Day or Independence Day; all these occasions have a significance in reminding people of an important message or historical event. Likewise, the celebration of Eid has a much greater and deeper significance. Eid is a time to reflect over spiritual improvement and resolve not to lose what one has gained during the month of Ramadan, rather, not only to maintain it, but to press forward to even higher spiritual and moral gains.
The main event of the Eid celebration is the additional 6th prayer on the day of Eid. This in itself demonstrates that the true purpose of Eid is to be reminded of the Creator, to turn to Him for help and the strength to pursue and proceed in the acquisition of higher spiritual and moral gains throughout the rest of the year too. Eid is a reminder to Muslims to not only struggle and toil for spiritual gain for one month, but to keep that progress going throughout the year.
The occasion of Eid also reminds Muslims of another lesson learnt during the month of Ramadan; to spend on the poor and needy. Fitrana is a compulsory donation by Muslims to be given to the poor and needy before the occasion of the Eid celebration. This enjoins Muslims to celebrate and rejoice with every member of the society and help the poor and needy throughout the year. The underlying message given by Islam is to include all members of society in your times of happiness and joy. Islam encourages sharing times of happiness with all members of the society, regardless of race, colour, creed or faith.
During my time at a university in London I remember going door-to-door distributing boxes of chocolates in our neighbourhood with my fellow Muslim brothers. The faces of fear of seeing a Muslim at their doorsteps quickly changed to smiles when the message of peace and love with a box of chocolates was given. I recall the Eid parties where hundreds of guests were invited to join our happiness. Eid reminds me of the days when members of our community celebrate by visiting old people’s homes, hospitals and hospices with sweets, chocolates and food packs to share their happiness.
This year is no different; the relatively small community across New Zealand along with the millions of members spanning over 206 countries will be carrying on this tradition of reaching out to the wider communities, neighbours, the poor and the needy.
Eid for Muslims is a reminder of the true teachings of Islam; teachings of love, peace, harmony and integration. Whilst some people spread their unislamic teachings in the name of religion we are committed to continue in our struggle to correct and dispel the wrong distorted image of Islam presented by these extremist factions, by spreading the message of love and peace taught to us through the paragon of the prophet Muhammad and presented to us through the peaceful teachings of Islam.
About the writer
Mustenser Ahmad Qamar is an Imam and Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who has recently arrived in New Zealand. Mustenser graduated last year from the UK after a 7 year extensive course in Islam and comparative religions and is currently serving in New Zealand.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, National List MP
On this very auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr, I wish all my brothers and sisters Happy Eid. Eid-ul-fitr is the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan our Muslim brothers and sisters fast for a whole month from dawn to sunset. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of whole month's fasting period. Very fittingly Eid refers to celebrations or festivities and Fitr refers to breaking the fast.
For our Muslim brotherhood it is the time of year we rejoice and thank Allah. It is also the time when all of us have the opportunity to reflect on our lives. Fasting reminds us of how fortunate we are and of our responsibility to the less fortunate than ourselves.
As National Member of Parliament of ethnic background, I was invited to attend the iftar parties. It was great to meet and greet people from different backgrounds there. I value the contributions of our Muslim Community. By sharing our culture with the rest of New Zealand, we add to the vibrancy and diversity that makes New Zealand a truly multicultural nation. I hope that all of you enjoy the festivities of Eid. Once again I wish all of you a very happy Eid.
Andrew Little, Labour Party Leader
It is with great pleasure that I join in celebrating Eid al-Fitr with New Zealand’s Muslims.
This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a time for inner reflection and thanksgiving.
I think it’s significant that the Muslim community marks this day with gifts to the poor and needy and offers special prayers for peace and harmony around the world.
Labour values its relationship with New Zealand’s Muslim community and my family and I wish the Muslim families of New Zealand all the best.
Phil Goff, Labour Party MP
Assalaamu Alaikum. Eid Mubarak! I would like to offer my best wishes to you, your family and to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr.
This is a time for celebrating with family and friends, and a time to offer charity to those in need. I hope that this time of festivity and generosity brings you happiness and fulfilment.
I believe in a New Zealand in which people of all ethnicities and religious faiths can live together in harmony. We must all be committed to building a society which draws on the strengths and contribution of all our communities.
Together we share the benefits and the opportunities for a better life for our children that this country offers, and we share the common values taught by all faiths.
I wish to take this opportunity to wish you a joyous and peaceful Eid!
Dr Parmjeet Parmar, National List MP
My best wishes to the Muslim community on this great joyous occasion of Eid.
This is a great time for the Muslim community all around the world. I had the honour of joining many of you for the Iftar during the holy month of Ramadhan. Thank you for sharing your great religious tradition with myself and all those in your local communities.
New Zealand is a place where diversity is celebrated and embraced. The display of support and participation in Eid all around the country has been a great indication of our wonderful sense of community here in New Zealand.
May the celebrations of this Eid enlighten your way throughout the year until the next Ramadan and beyond.
?I wish each and every one celebrating Eid a happy and prosperous Eid.
Eid Mubarak!
Messages from the community
Imraan Hussein
Eid Mubarak to all.
I have been observing Rozah from my childhood. For me Ramadan and Eid is a time to remember and feel for the lesser privileged. It is time for giving and helping the poor. I always make sure that words spoken during the holy month, brings joy to people around me and spreads happiness. Though I miss my relatives back home, my friends around me make it up for that loss. We meet, do prayers and celebrate together.
Shaiyaz Mohammed
When I was a kid, on Eid day, our family would be lucky to have one type of sweet cooked at home. Today by almighty’s grace, we have feast on the day of Eid. Personally for me, every Ramadan month in my life, is a privilege. I try to take maximum out of it as one can’t be sure to see another Ramadan.
My daughter who is 11, has been doing Rozah for the last 3 years and my son who is 9, is fasting this year. The fasting is a way to thank the almighty for all the luxuries in life that he has provided to us for the other 11 months. I from my bottom of the heart, wish everyone Eid Mubarak.
Syed Mohinuddin
I see two faces of Ramadan and Eid. One is the spiritual cleansing that takes place in a person and another is the social gathering. Ten years back, the Eid celebrations in Auckland was a small affair for us. We missed our family which we still do but after 10 Eids in Auckland, we no more feel lonely. On Eid day, we do namaz and after that, all of our friends meet at a social gathering and have fun.
To all those observing Rozah on this holy month, I wish them many more Ramadan in life and hope almighty showers blessings on all.
Naima Ali, Auckland Eid Day Community Liaison
In every shared smiles and laughter, in every prayer answered, in every opportunity that comes your way, may Allah swt bless you greatly. Auckland Eid Day at Trust Arena, Henderson is an opportunity for us to come together to share meals and laughter with our diverse community. Eid Mubarak!
Javed Dadabhai, Operations Manager Auckland Eid Day
After a month of fasting and prayer, take the opportunity to greet, congratulate and ask forgiveness of as many Muslims as possible this Eid. Come to Trust Arena, Henderson to pray namaaz as per the sunnah in one large congregation. We look forward to seeing you all there and enjoying the day with you and your family. May the blessings of Allah fill your life with happiness and open all the doors of all successes now and always.
Mohamed Jaballah
Hosting the largest gathering of Muslims in New Zealand with a large selection of games, 60 stalls and Stage show; Auckland Eid Day at Trust Arena, Henderson is definitely the place to be this Eid"
Mohammed Azeem, Co-ordinator, Muslim Council of Auckland (MCA).
On behalf of the member organisations, I would like to wish the entire Muslim community of New Zealand and abroad a joyous and peaceful Eid. May Allah Almighty strengthen our spirit of brotherhood and keep us all united as one strong Ummah. It is also time to pray for our less fortunate brothers and sister in the Middle East, Afghanistan Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan who are suffering due to conflicts and wars.
Afaque Kamran
The blessed month of Ramadan is ending and it feels a little sad. I am fortunate that Allah SWT gave me this opportunity to observe this month, fasting and namaz has made me a better person. I will miss my family though and the delicacies my mom would be cooking on Eid. I wish everyone a very Happy Eid and may Allah bless us all so that we continue the good deeds we started in Ramadan. Eid Mubarak once again to all.
Adnan Meer
Hats off to you guys for giving us such an informative article prior to starting of the holy month of Ramadan, I am sure it helped many people in the community. You guys rock!!! Eid Mubarak from my side to Indian Weekender team and fellow readers!!! May God bless us all.