"On Eid, we wore new clothes, and temporarily dropped the boundaries from the whole society, and the class struggle was greatly reduced, as there was an atmosphere of beautiful equality, so the phrase "Every year and you are good" was the phrase through which people renew their relationship with the concept of common humanity and with the cosmic elements in their existence."
(Abdelwahab Al-Messiri, My Intellectual Journey: On Seeds, Roots and Fruit)
One Eid in which joy and affection gather Muslims all over the world, whether they live in Muslim-majority countries or not, in their homelands or in foreign countries. Eid remains an opportunity to take a breath from the weight of life and days, to gather with loved ones and remember those who have been absent. Eid represents unforgettable memories for children, as they grow up and become mothers and fathers who try to create new memories for their children so that the family cord of joy extends uninterrupted.
Muslims all over the world share some holiday rituals and traditions, such as gathering in large numbers for Eid prayers, cleaning their homes, wearing new clothes, giving children sweets or money, and festive eating with the family. But each country still has some rituals of its own, to dye Eid with a special dye and a distinctive taste that is unparalleled in other countries, and make Eid al-Fitr a single multi-colored holiday with a plurality of peoples and tribes.
Celebrations of history
"Throughout the year, the Fatimid caliphs had feasts and seasons, namely: the New Year's season, the first season of the year, the day of Ashura, the birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the birth of Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allaah be pleased with him), the birth of Hassan, the birth of Hussein, peace be upon them, the birth of Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her), the birth of the present caliph, the night of the first Rajab, the night of half of it, the night of the first Sha'ban, the night of the half of it, the season of the night of Ramadan, the night of Ramadan, the Ramadan tablecloth, the night of the seal, the season of Eid al-Fitr, the season of Eid al-Nahr, the festival of Eid al-Ghadir, the winter clothing, and the summer clothing. And the season of the opening of the Gulf, the day of Nowruz, the day of the epiphany, the day of Christmas, the Thursday of lentils, and the days of rides."
(Al-Maqrizi, sermons and consideration by mentioning plans and effects)
The manifestations of holiday celebrations, and the traditions associated with them, are not new in the history of Muslims. In the Abbasid era, for example, the celebration was not limited to the Muslim holidays of al-Fitr and al-Adha, but included other seasons such as Nowruz and other ancient Persian holidays.
The celebrations expanded and increased during the Fatimid Caliphate in particular and included other days such as the Prophet's birthday and the celebrations of the month of Ramadan, where many of its traditions that are still alive today date back to their reign.
In the Abbasid and Fatimid states, sweets were widely distributed and were known as al-Fitra after Eid al-Fitr. While the Mamluks presented dishes with sweets and dinars in the middle, and were known as "Jamaic", and were provided by the Sultan to princes and senior army men, a habit that many families still maintain, where parents are keen to provide money, games and sweets for their children, in some countries it is called Eidiya, and in other countries it is called Kharjia, relative to "Kharj", which is a bag of keeping money (1).
One Eid and many colors
"Eid Mubarak" or "happy holiday" or "Awashrkom Mubaraka" is the phrase of mutual congratulations on Eid al-Fitr in Arabic-speaking countries, which differs in other countries, for example in Nigeria it is said "Bala da Salah", and in Malaysia "Salamat Hari Raya".
With the diversity of tongues, languages and customs from one country to another, the ways of celebrating holidays vary, and its dishes also vary, as it is not possible to ignore the close link between social and religious celebrations and food, especially on a holiday such as Eid al-Fitr, which comes after a long fast from food and pleasures.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr in many countries is associated with the serving of sweets, so that in Turkey it is called "Seker Bayram", meaning Sugar Day. Turks are keen to honor the elderly when greeting and congratulating them on Eid al-Fitr, where they kiss their right hand and put it on their forehead. The little ones move from door to door in their neighborhood wishing their neighbors a happy Eid, receiving sweets and chocolates.
In Saudi Arabia, eating dates with special Arabic coffee is a ritual of Eid al-Fitr, as well as sweets such as maamoul, harissa and date arika.
In Yemen, "Bint Al-Sahn" is the most famous dessert associated with holidays and occasions in general, and it is a round cake made of chips made of flour, water, butter and eggs with a little sugar and sweetened with honey.
In Tunisia, each governorate has its own distinctive dish, the most famous of which is "charmoula", a dough of marinated raisins and onions cooked in olive oil and eaten with salted fish, in addition to desserts such as mahkoum, rakhamiya and rafissa.
Moroccans eat dishes such as Kaab el Ghazal, Briouat and Maasalat, and wear traditional clothes such as jilbab with fez and jabador with Fassia.
While Eid in Egypt is not pleasant without cakes, "petit four" and "ghriba", as well as fish dishes and salted and smoked fish.
While in India and Pakistan, there is a sweet noodle dish called "sher khorma", which is especially common, and in Russia "traditional dumplings" are eaten(2)(3).
Affection and mercy
Another famous ritual in Yogyakarta Indonesia is an event called "Grebeg Syawal", where the sultan presents a set of gifts stacked in a pyramid shape and citizens race for a share of them.
"Modek" or "Homecoming" is a phenomenon that Indonesia witnesses on Eid al-Fitr, which is known as "Lebaran", as Indonesia witnesses the largest internal movement as many people return to their families in their villages of origin to spend Eid with them, and are keen to wear new clothes called "baju baru".
Another famous ritual in Yogyakarta Indonesia is an event called "Grebeg Syawal", where the sultan presents a set of gifts stacked in a pyramid shape and citizens race for a share of them, in a tradition believed to bring blessing. A huge wooden cannon is also fired on the bank of the Kapoas River in Pontianak in celebration of the holiday. Popular Indonesian foods at the feast include a dish called ketobat, rice wrapped in coconut leaves and cooked in coconut milk, as well as a spicy meat dish called rindang, and dessert dishes such as the nastar cake made with pineapple dough, flour, sugar and cheesecakes called kastanagil. The taste of Eid in Indonesia is not complete without the "Labis Legit" cake, one of the most famous national sweets that is prepared from a large number of layers and requires great skill.
Children are given colorful envelopes containing cash as a gift from relatives, most Indonesians wear traditional clothes on Eid day, and like many Muslims around the world, some are also keen to visit the graves of loved ones who missed the joy of Eid.
In Senegal, for example, neighbors are keen to eat bites at someone's house, then move to the next house with the owner of the house with them to eat more bites, and so on so that everyone tastes each other's food.
Muslim minorities in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America and many European countries celebrate the gathering for Eid prayers in mosques and local Islamic centers, and usually gather with their friends and expatriates gather with their friends, usually prepare foods that remind them of their homelands, and spend Eid in the traditional way (4).
Games and the spirit of the feast
Play and fun are in the spirit of Eid, and while many Muslim families around the world are keen to visit amusement parks, others have their own rides and traditions. In Afghanistan, for example, young and old enjoy the game of egg cracking, where they color and use hard-boiled eggs, and the goal is to break your opponent's egg and return with as many eggs as possible.
In many countries, most families are keen for children to visit amusement parks, parks and zoos, which are usually crowded during the festive seasons, and some choose to use vacations to go out on trips to the beaches (5).
In Malaysia, houses are decorated with traditional oil lamps known as pelita, serving traditional dishes such as rice patties. Malaysia's most famous tradition during Eid is to open the doors of homes to everyone, regardless of their religion or class, so that everyone can enjoy food and company together.
In Singapore, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, or as it is called "Hari Raya Aidilfitri", and its celebrations are especially distinguished in "Geylang Serai", where they are decorated with amazing lights and colors, as you can see in the following video. People also enjoy traditional foods served by vendors such as tea candy, bubbles and cane herbs.6
In many Gulf countries, as well as in India and Pakistan, women are keen to decorate their palms with henna, an ancient and inherited ritual, and women used to gather in the family home in a group decoration ritual, but some go to salons to conduct it nowadays (7).
"The day of Eid has come, the day of going out of time to a time alone that lasts no more than a day. A short, cute and laughing time, imposed by religions on people, so that from time to time they have a normal day in this life that has moved from its nature. The day of peace, people, laughter, loyalty, brotherhood, and the saying of man to man: and you are fine."
Mustafa Sadiq Al-Rafi'i - the revelation of the pen
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