Eid al-Fitr: A Worldwide Celebration — Traditions, Family, and Hard Boiled Eggs?
by Yusuf Azmi
When you think of Eid, what comes to mind?
Going to the mosque? Spending time with loved ones? Amazing food? If so, then it turns out you’re not alone!
For millions of Muslims around the world, this week sees the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration at the end of the month of Ramadan. Although each country may have their own traditions and variations on how to celebrate this special day, there are some things that we can all agree on.
Number one on the agenda — Preparation. For some, getting ready for Eid is an operation that takes days, if not weeks, to complete. Even with all the goings on of Ramadan, minds start to turn to Eid sooner than you realize. Shopping malls in Bangladesh become packed with shoppers from the third week of Ramadan trying to buy things for their house, groceries to cook, and for some most importantly, buying new Eid clothes. In fact in Indonesia, (where Eid is known as Lebaran) Islamic fashion sales rise by over 25% during the Eid season.
Cooking has to start early in many parts of the world, because traditional Eid food can take a while to prepare. One of the most interesting desserts is made in Indonesia, where the traditional Lapis Legit cake is popular. A difficult delicacy to master, reserved only for special occasions, this layered cake, flavored with spices and herbs like cardamom, is actually a remnant from the Dutch occupation of the region, now with an Indonesian twist!
A popular traditional snack in countries throughout the Middle East, like Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. It’s widely found in bakeries but is just as often found being prepared in kitchens on the last days of Ramadan! Maamoul is a date-filled shortbread cookie that is synonymous with the celebration of Eid. In Turkey, Eid is also known as ‘Seker Bayram,’ or ‘Sugar Feast,’ and as you can imagine, a lot of sweets are consumed during the celebration!
Then finally, the morning of Eid arrives! As the scramble to get ready in time for Eid prayers commences, everyone is excited to wear their Eid clothes. In many countries, it is customary to purchase new clothes for Eid, especially for children. For Malaysians (similar to many other cultures), Eid is a time to adorn yourself with traditional clothing as you, like millions of other Muslims get ready to go to Eid prayer.
Arriving at the Mosque, there is a palpable sense of excitement in the air as masjids around the world are packed out, even spilling out onto the streets in many cases. For many, arriving at the mosque is a first chance to see and greet your loved ones. After the prayer has finished, the embrace and wishing of Eid Mubarak amongst Muslim brothers and sisters is a tradition that has been a welcome return this year in countries like Indonesia and Hong Kong after the pandemic restrictions have finally lifted.
Upon returning back home, it’s finally time to celebrate with family and loved ones. After a month of sacrifice and dedication to Allah (swt), this is our reward. Every culture in Muslim countries around the world has a strong dedication to family, and the day of Eid exemplifies that tradition. It’s a time to remember our loved ones, both here and those who have passed. In Indonesia, families will visit the graves of loved ones, to honor their memories, make dua’a for them and clean their headstones. Eid is also a memorable time for children and in many cultures around the world, elders will provide Eidi to children, known in Malaysia as a green packet, a small sum of money given as a gift.
Another notable tradition is held in Afghanistan, where the locals will engage in a game called Tokhm-Jangi. Not too dissimilar to conkers, hard boiled eggs are painted, and the aim of the game is to use your egg to break your opponent’s egg without breaking your own!
We’re so blessed to have such a diverse and wonderful world filled with Muslims from every corner and more Eid traditions than we could ever hope to fill in a story like this. However, the most important traditions are the ones that we all share, that this is a day to have fun and celebrate with our loved ones in the name of Allah (SWT) and be thankful for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us.
