Let’s take a look at how people in different parts of the world celebrate Eid…
festivities
The joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated with heart and holler. After a month of fasting, this festival, celebrated in the presence of family and friends, brings about a myriad of colours, get together and mouth watering foods.
Eid is celebrated in different ways around the world from Turkey to New Zealand to Iceland, which can be quite different to how it is celebrated here in Pakistan. Dressing differs all around the world and, depending on likeness, what people from around the world wear on Eid can differ in colour, shape, and style. In most countries, women also adorn their hands with intricate henna patterns to celebrate the event like we do in Pakistan. There are different kind of desserts as well, which vary from country to country. Usually, the day starts with prayers and a big meal is usually the main event, but there’s lots of other ways people celebrate too. Let’s take a look at how people in different parts of the world celebrate Eid…
Turkish Eid celebrations are marked by sunny beaches! Yes, you read that right! Many Turks flock to the beach during the Eid holiday to take advantage of the hot weather. With Muslims making up close to 98 per cent of the population in Turkey, many families travel to different provinces to visit relatives during the Eid holiday.
So where does a visit to the beach come in? Other than visiting family on the first day of the Eid celebrations, Muslims in Turkey also make use of the second and third day to lounge by the inviting waters of the sea. Fishing, swimming, and other fun-filled activities ensue at these sandy coasts as family and friends take advantage of the long public holiday to rest and relax.
SINGAPORE
On the sunny island of Singapore, one of the highlights of the Eid celebrations is the explosion of colours lighting up the Geylang Serai area. One of Singapore’s oldest Malay settlements, Geylang Serai has been the centre of celebrations for Muslims living in Singapore. A spectacular display of lights illuminates the streets each year. These displays can feature over 50 different types of light and visual installations, all depicting a kaleidoscope of lively colour. Geylang Serai is also home to the annual Geylang Serai Ramazan Bazaar. Food is definitely the centre of attraction at the bazaar, which features over a hundred food vendors that serve up gloriously divine traditional Malay foods. Over the last several years, vendors have also been serving Instagram-worthy foods like bubble-tea desserts and flaming marshmallows on a stick. A feast for the eyes and a treat for the belly!
ICELAND
The celebration of Eid in Iceland is by far the most unique on this list. That said, while the community is certainly growing, Muslims still remain a minority of the Icelandic population.
Leading up to the celebration, Muslims in Iceland also partake in the dusk-to-dawn fast during Ramazan. In the peak of summer, the sun remains up in the sky for a longer time than usual, the sun setting at midnight and returning two hours later.
Eid is celebrated in one of the few mosques in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Guests who visit the mosque come armed with an international buffet of mouth-watering foods, including foods from Indonesian, Egyptian and Eritrean cuisines to celebrate this joyous occasion. Much to the delight of the children, the little ones wear their best clothes and exchange gifts with fellow friends and family members.
In Egypt, Eid celebrations are marked by the cheerful spirit of visiting older family members after morning prayers at the mosque. Often, elders give a small token of money to the younger ones in the family.
With family get-together being the focus of the festivities, many Egyptians flock to public gardens and zoos to celebrate the occasion. Giza Zoo is one of the most popular locations for families, with the zoo planning ahead of Eid celebrations to welcome throngs of families who come to view the animals and more importantly, spend well-earned time with each other.
NEW ZEALAND
Eid festivities in Auckland begin with the usual rituals of morning prayers. After that, Eden Park opens its doors to the bi-annual Eid Day, a fun-filled event filled with activities for everyone. The festival at Eden Park features all sorts of carnival fun including mechanical bulls, human foosball, and a variety of food vendors selling delectable delights from around the region.
While Eid Day is a great time for families and friends to celebrate the occasion together, it also serves as an important event for visitors from all walks of life to learn and embrace the Muslim community during this special occasion.
Source: TourHero
