June 4, 2019, by International students

Eid in Nottingham

Muslims all around the world are beginning to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. In this blog post, Eriko, one of our International student Ambassadors from Bangladesh, tells us more about Ramadan, Eid and how she plans to celebrate.

Eriko celebrating Eid with her family

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, because this is when the Holy Qu’ran, the holy book followed by Muslims, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The month falls on varying dates of the Western or solar calendar, because Islam follows the lunar calendar where the months are based on the cycles of the moon. During this month, Muslims from around the world do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. This is called fasting. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; the others are faith, prayer, charity, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca.

This month allows Muslims to devote their time to their faith to become closer to Allah, or God. It is a month of prayer, spiritual reflection, spending time with friends and family, and doing good deeds. Muslims often carry out or participate in initiatives to help those in need, and donate to charitable causes. The fasts also help a Muslim feel the struggles of those who are not able to eat regularly throughout the day.

During this month, Muslims typically have a meal before sunset (known as “suhoor” or “seheri”) and another meal after sunset (known as “iftar”). The “iftar” is usually a communal affair, with friends and families, or even local communities getting together to break the fast. Muslims often also go to the mosque for their daily prayers, and there is also an additional prayer that is offered during the month of Ramadan, known as “taraweeh”. Ramadan typically lasts 29 or 30 days, based on the lunar calendar.

What is Eid?

At the end of Ramadan, there is a three-day festival called Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid is the first day after the new moon is sighted, and Muslims around the world celebrate the end of fasting. People often get new clothes, and it is customary in many Muslim communities to give presents or clothes to friends and family members. It is similar to the Christian celebrations of Christmas.

How will you be celebrating Eid?

During this month, my friends and I have gotten together for many iftars, and will be celebrating Eid as well. Many of them are not Muslim but are very respectful of the Islamic traditions so I plan on having everyone over to my house for an evening meal. My family is also visiting for Eid, so it should be a nice day with family and friends for me.

Eid Mubarak to all our students, colleagues and friends in Nottingham and around the world celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr.

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