By Rasheda Shaikh from the Bretton Centre
Eid Ul Fitr was celebrated on Thursday 11th of April 2024 with immense joy and happiness. The event was held at the Bretton centre and was opened to service users and staff across low secure services. It was a well-attended event where staff and service users played games, won prizes, listened to traditional music, and had lots of Asian delicacies and hot drinks. Lovely Betsy the PAT dog joined the event and spent time with the service users who thoroughly enjoyed the event as well.
Eid Ul fitr is celebrated every year on the first day of the 10th Islamic calendar month (Shawwal) at the end of the fasting month (Ramadhan). Eid Ul Fitr is determined by sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal. When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on radio stations, televisions, and mosques.
Traditionally Eid is celebrated for 3 days, that includes special morning prayers. Family and friends get together and greet each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’, which means blessed Eid. Eid is celebrated by wearing new clothes. People decorate their homes with lanterns, twinkling lights and banners. Sweet, savoury dishes are prepared and shared at home. Gifts are given to the children and donations are given to the less fortunate. On this celebration people are encouraged to forgive and seek forgiveness. Eid is meant to be a time of joy and blessing for the entire Muslim community.
Thank you for reading Rasheda…