Credit: Paystone
‘Eid’ as a word means a joyous return. The celebration of Eid follows the end of a month of intensive worship. At the end of the month of fasting before dawn until sunset with Ramadan, it is to help those to re-evaluate and become a better-developed human being.
At the end of Ramadan comes the celebrations. Usually, it is celebrated by starting the day with a huge communal gathering at the places of worship. This year, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, plans have been shifted to celebrate virtually.
Munir El-Kassim is the Director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario. El-Kassim reminisces on his favourite part of celebrating Eid “The family, and the spirit of togetherness, when I have a chance to see all my children and my grandchildren all celebrating, this is basically what Eid is for me and the entire family.”
Religious leaders of their centres will join in a meeting to give advice and share in a special prayer at the London Muslim Mosque, which will be the extent of plans to celebrate in compliance with restrictions.
“This year is not going to be the same because we will not be able to see everyone together in one place, so we will resort to virtual hugs and kisses.”
However, it is not only the pandemic that has changed this glorious time for those to celebrate.
What would normally be a large celebration with thousands of people getting together with their loved ones and friends, has been redesigned from the pandemic and heartache with Jerusalem.
Deadly airstrikes have hit Gaza after rocket attacks. The health ministry in Gaza has reported at least 28 Palestinians, including 10 children, have died in the Israeli strikes and the addition of at least 150 others have been injured during these attacks so far as clashes continue between Israeli settlers and Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem.
Credit: Al Jazeera
“Muslims by nature, make a global community that we call ummah. Ummah in Arabic means ‘a global community’, and there is a saying of Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, that being a global ummah is like a body. Whenever a part of it aches, the entire body feels the pain. So, this year it’s going to be Eid celebrations that are diminished in the extent of happiness by what is happening in Jerusalem.”
The violence of unresolved conflict has been harming Palestinian and Israeli lives for many years throughout several generations.
“The entire Muslim global community is feeling the pain of that part of the body”
With the end of Ramadan, a time for peace and love shared to be thankful and reflect on creating a positive place in the world for others will be melancholy upon the tragedies of violence.
The Palestinian Youth Movement group will be hosting a rally in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on May 15 to commemorate the 73rd year of the Palestinian catastrophe and ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine.
Credit: The Palestinian Youth Movement
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