Cultural traditions mark Eid across the world

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Women celebrating Eid
Women celebrating Eid

 

Mansooruddin Faridi / New Delhi

Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest and most important festival for Muslims living in any corner of the world. The month of fasting, Ramadan, culminates in the celebrations of Eid. That is why it is also called the day of reward.

Nothing can replace the grandeur and joy of this festival. Mention Eid and the faces of happy children flash in the memory. The happiness comes from the month-long worship and submission before the Almighty.

In fact, it’s hard to measure the excitement and anxiety of the devout waiting for a glimpse of the Moon for him to treat the next morning as Eid-ul-Fitr with words.

Women praying at home in Iran

Eid-ul-Fitr has its distinct colour, splendour and charm across the world. Whether it is an Islamic or a secular country, people celebrate in unique ways while joy and gratitude reigns high everywhere.

In Asia, Europe and the Arab world, coountries where Muslims live, this festival is celebrated in a major way. In North Africa, Iran and the Middle East, this day is often celebrated as Family Day.

Women blessing each other in Turkey

Of course, the prayers for Eid are the same, but the traditions about hugging, shaking hands or visiting cemeteries are different in each part of the world, obviously heavily influenced by local cultures. Each country has its own culture and traditions on this festival. There is a tradition of kissing the right hand of elders in Turkey, in Indonesia, the youngsters seek pardon for their mistakes from elders, especially the father-in-law.

In Malaysia, the doors of houses are kept open on the day of Eid. Let’s take some of the unique tradition of Eid in Muslim countries.

In Saudi Arabiam the epicentre of the Islamic world, in ancient times the Arabs used dates, honey, camel's milk, goat's milk and roasted meat in Eid dishes. Modern food has now entered the Arab world even though ancient traditions also survive. Dastarkhan have been replaced by dining tables, fast food has also begun to flourish.

In Saudi Arabia Muslims have the tradition of giving gifts to children.

Arab children in trational dress and gifts in their hands

On the day of Eid, the strongest tradition of the Arabs is to visit the homes of relatives and friends wearing expensive clothes. An interesting tradition in the Arab world is that children are given bags full of gifts on Eid.

Eid in Saudi Arabia

As per the tradition that people buy large quantities of rice and other items on the day of Eid and they make packets of it and leave these outside the homes of poor families. In the evening, Eid festivities begin. Camel racing continues to be a tradition in the villages of Saudi Arabia.

Turkey is an ancient civilization and an enlightened and progressive nation, where people love to maintain and preserve their traditions. Eid is a national holiday. In Turkey, the youngsters kiss the right hand of their elders as a mark of respect. The children visit their relatives where they are offered gifts.

The first day of Eid is very special. Men pray in mosques. On the occasion of Eid, the Turks distribute sweets called Baklava in addition to chocolates and cash.

In Egypt, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for 4 days. At the beginning of the day of Eid, the elderly take the children to the mosques, while the women take care of the house. After the Eid prayers, everyone greets each other.

Women were praying in the houses

It is an Egyptian tradition that the first day is the time of feasts, while the second and third days are meant for visiting theatres and public parks, as well as coastal areas. Children are usually given clothes as gifts and special gifts are also arranged for women and girls.

In Indonesia, Eid is not just a celebration of happiness, it paves the way for peace. As apologizing for past sins and to one’s enemies is the main spiritual tradition in the country. On Eid everyone is supposed to forget old grievances, rivalries and hold reunions with love.

During prayers in Indonesia

In Indonesia, Eid is also calledLibran. It is also known by other names, such as Hari Raya, Hari Otak, Hari Raya Adarsh ​​and Hari Raya Pusa. Hari Raya means happy day. On this auspicious occasion, people from far-flung areas return to their ancestral homes. On this occasion, an apology is made to the elders to end the old bitterness and the father-in-law is specially addressed.

The night before Eid is called Tampad Tekren. On this night people say, Masha Allah, then the atmosphere resounds. On this occasion, lamps are also lit. Similarly, candles, lanterns and lamps are lit on the doors of houses, which give a beautiful view.

Women rule the kitchen to dish out special food

The local name of Eid in Malaysia is Hari Riya Eid-ul-Fitr, which means the day of celebration. Eid is celebrated in Malaysia because of the colourful clothes of customs and traditions