Faith: Celebrating Eid and the joy of spiritual uplift

When I hear the word Eid, two words come to mind: connection and celebration.

The connection is with God and your community. Ramadan allows existing connections to deepen while reaching out to new friends to share the providence afforded us.

The Eid morning breakfast is a special time shared with extended family.Credit: Joe Armao

Ramadan comes with gifts, such as patience, compassion and a set of keys to unlock one’s salvation, if used properly.

It comes as an energy source to revive the soul bogged down in the daily grind. Its departure brings a bittersweet feeling; sorrow as you want that energy to stay all year round, but joy for the spiritual uplift you gained.

Thus Eid is really a celebration of accomplishment; you have accepted the invitation from God to fast and gain his pleasure and in doing so benefit from the rewards that come with it, physically and spiritually.

Eid morning commences with congregational prayers in the mosque.

A child enjoys the festivities after Eid prayers at Flagstaff Gardens. Credit: Joe Armao

After prayers, Muslims congratulate one another in the victory of regaining control of their will and shifting their moral compass towards doing good, which includes forgiving those who’ve wronged them.

The celebration continues in homes with loved ones. The Eid morning breakfast is a special time shared with extended family members.

It is traditional to have the breakfast at a patriarch’s home where all the children and their extended families are present. Those with children encourage them to honour their elders by kissing their hand or cheek and giving big hugs.

In return the children get showered with gifts or money. After breakfast, families or individuals visit other family members and friends. Families who’ve lost a loved one will visit the cemetery and those with relatives in care will share some time with them at the hospital or nursing home.

Breakfast after Eid al-Fitr prayers at Flagstaff Gardens on Saturday morning.Credit: Joe Armao

The real gain of Eid is that after a month of intense discipline, a Muslim feels a lifeline has been given to them, as they’ve been put on the path to spiritual asceticism, sitting in the driver’s seat to navigate the challenges the road of life presents.

With daily prayers, regular charity and the semi-weekly fasts outside of Ramadan, one hopes we can all remain steadfast on this path until Ramadan and its blessings return.

Ahmet Keskin is executive director of the Australian Intercultural Society.