Fasting is over, feasting begins: Community observes Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid was once again celebrated with full enthusiasm and zeal in different parts of Auckland. The biggest celebration of the Muslim community was declared on Sunday, June 25 roughly around 5 p.m. when FIANZ confirmed the sighting of the moon.

The moon sighting brings a sense of joy as well as a bit of grief for the community as it marks the end of the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan.

This year, Muslims all over the world observed 29 days of fasting as the moon was sighted one day before anticipated.

Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday, June 26 brought packed mosques and community halls as men, women, and children dressed in their best traditional outfits set out to offer the Eid prayers.

The Eid prayer is Wajib (second to compulsory) for the believers fasting as it is said to be the reward for the month of fasting and sacrifice.

Auckland Eid Day, the not-for-profit organisation reserved a big area in the Mt Smart Stadium premises in Penrose for Eid prayer and the carnival for the families scheduled later. The prayer was led by President of FIANZ, Hazim Arafeh and the Eid Namaz commenced at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Kutbah (sermon).

More than 5000 men, women, and children attended the Eid Namaz at the venue and another approximately 7000 people dropped in later during the day for a quality family time.

The event hosted bouncing castles and face painting for the children, women shopped for beautiful scarves, henna-tattoo and imitation jewellery and others queued to feast on the traditional delicacies such as Kebab, hot dog, samosa, besides others.

A big arrangement was also made at the Malaeola Centre in Mangere where another Eid prayer was observed by more than 700 people. This venue too hosted the food stalls and other fun activities for the families.

Eid Prayer gathering at Otahuhu Masjid

The children who finished reading the whole Quran were given prizes for their feat by Al-Noor Islamic Trust.