Deniz and her family celebrate Eid during lockdown

Muslims fast for a whole month (Ramadan) and at the end of this we celebrate Eid. This year Eid was on Sunday 24^th May 2020 and it is celebrated for three days.

Normally my family and I will wake up very early and my girls will get dressed up in their new clothes we buy for them as gifts for Eid. We go to visit the older people in the family to celebrate and they will treat the younger children with sweets or pocket money/presents.

Above is a picture of my daughter and niece last year at our Eid celebrations.

Me and my family normally do a few visits in the daytime, then go to my parent’s house where my mother and father have prepared family treats! We have a delicious food feast and loads of baklava and sweets! We have the whole family over, including aunties, uncles, cousins etc.

Last Eid we even did a Secret Eid game, which is similar to Secret Santa!

This year Eid was very different due to lockdown and our thoughts were about protecting our loved ones. On Sunday me and my family went to my parent’s house but only saw them from the door with a two metre distance. We gave my mum some flowers and she gave us sweets and gifts for the children.

Deniz Bellikli, Receptionist at St Luke’s

 

Some information about Eid

Eid in Arabic means “feast, festival, holiday.”

Eid is a worldwide festival and celebration for Muslims. During the calendar year there are two Eid’s that are celebrated by Muslims. Eid ul Fitr, which means “festival to break the fast”, is at the end of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast for a whole month.

Eid ul Fitr is also known as the lesser Eid, and is determined by the confirmed sighting of the new moon. Eid is a time for reflection and starting afresh, a time to rejoice with family and friends, but also a time for remembering those who are less fortunate. It’s a time to count our blessings while also giving charity to those in need. Fasting teaches empathy and compassion for those less fortunate. In this time of year it provides Muslims belief and the opportunity to feel closer to God by carrying out various works of charity to benefit the poor and by offering prayers imposed and enacted. 

Eid is a momentous, happy and joyous occasion shared with family and friends, Muslim and non-Muslim. A celebration of this nature, with family and friends following a month fasting, is a reminder and expression of trying to be a better person in all aspects (health, spiritual, belief and faith)