Eid celebrations have largely remained unchanged for generations although the festivities themselves alter according to the traditions of the country Eid is being celebrated in. Eid is the celebration that comes at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, marking the end of the final day of fasting with Chand Raat. The sighting of the moon’s crescent in the night sky is a sign that heralds Eid. Last minute preparations such as final shopping amongst beautifully decorated stores and, at home, the ladies of the family preparing to apply mehndi, build the anticipation for the day ahead. Arising on the morning of Eid, Muslims the world over will bathe and put on their new clothes, ensuring they dress up nicely for the occasion. Following breakfast families will head for the places of prayers where the congregation will recite the Takbir.
Once prayers will have finished, people will scatter to their homes to prepare food and entertain guests, make phone calls to distant relatives and generally enjoy their Eid celebrations together. So, how is Eid being celebrated by Muslims around the world, besides their traditional Eid prayer celebrations? Eid is a festival that lasts over three days during which, in Muslim countries, a public holiday is enjoyed. Homes are specially decorated and special foods cooked and eaten, shared by friends and family who enjoy visiting each other. Gifts are exchanged amongst family members, with small children especially enjoying their presents and new clothes. In many places large fireworks’ displays are held to enthral adults and children alike but, even in countries that are not predominantly Islamic, some level of Eid celebrations are held for their Muslim citizens.
France is a bit of a conundrum when it comes to Eid celebrations and to its Muslim population in general. There is a large influx of Muslims from Morocco living in France, and these ex-pat Moroccans begin to prepare for Eid in the kitchen, making some of their favourite Moroccan sweets such as those made from almonds, known as les cornes de gazelle. Other favourite Moroccan sweets include shabakia; the sweet roll known as krachel that is flavoured with anise, sesame and orange flower water. Sellou, an almond flavoured dessert, is another favourite. The morning Eid celebrations follow the traditional format where Muslims congregate to recite the Eid prayer, followed by the Takbir and the dispersal of the people to their individual homes which begin to fill up with extended family and friends, all vying to enjoy the day more than the person next to them.
The Oman International Exhibition Centre is the venue for the Eid Festival in Oman. This festival has been running for twenty-three consecutive years now and is a popular and much anticipated annual event. The Eid Festival in Oman runs for a full nine days, from the first sighting of the crescent moon that heralds the first day of Eid. This festival has now become a firm family tradition, with entire families descending on Omanexpo in their droves. Huge numbers of shopping stalls add to this festival’s popularity, with everything from kitchen equipment and carpets on sale to beauty products and the latest in ladies’ fashions. Prizes are available to be won and there will be a wide range of exciting entertainments laid on to ensure both adults and children fully enjoy their much-anticipated Eid ul Fitre celebrations.