This April, our Muslim colleagues have been be observing Ramadan, a period of fasting, which will end with celebrations on Eid al-Fitr (2-3 May). Amin Buxton, Muslim chaplain., has shared a bit about celebrating Eid al-Fitr and the End of Ramadan below.
All good things come to an end. That might be a strange way to introduce Eid al-Fitr, one of the main celebrations in the Islamic calendar, but let me explain: Eid comes immediately after Ramadan, the month of fasting. You would have thought that Muslims would be overjoyed that a month of food and sleep deprivation has come to an end, but the fact is that everyone loves Ramadan. Regardless of how much you practise your faith outside of Ramadan, everyone makes their best effort. We pray more, recite the Quran more and give more charity. Coming from a Christian background, I remember being excited about going to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, but in Ramadan there are special prayers in the mosque every night, often stretching beyond midnight. It’s a very spiritual time in which you learn new things about yourself. It’s also a very social time: families gather to break the fast a lot and the community gets together far more often than at any other time.
Don’t get me wrong: Eid is definitely a day of joy. Preparations start long in advance. The community congregates in big numbers on the morning of Eid to perform the Eid prayer in the mosque (apologies in advance if our parking isn’t always the best). People wear their best clothes and women may decorate their hands with henna. Our community is very diverse, and that is reflected in the array of colours and styles. We hug and congratulate each other and hope that God has accepted our fasts. Then the feasting starts. Families visit each other and the best food is served, but you realise that your stomach has shrunk after fasting the past month and there’s not that much you can physically eat. Parties are held and children are spoiled. It is a day on which we are grateful for having completed the month and for all the blessings we have.
But all of this is tinged with a sadness that Ramadan, that honoured guest who only visits once a year, has departed and we will go back to our old routines. Eleven months to go until it returns...
We hope that all colleagues celebrating have wonderful celebrations!
If you would like to join our Interfaith Staff Network, please do get in touch with us at interfaithnetwork@napier.ac.uk