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Malegaon:
After a month of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, Eid Al
Fitr is here once again. While people in Gulf, United States and
other parts of the world have already celebrated the day August
30, Muslims in India and other neighbouring countries will do it
today. Experts opine that this variation has
geographical reasons.
“Islamic calendar works on lunar
system and the day of Eid is decided only when people see the new
moon in their areas. If the moon is not sighted, then it is
advised to complete 30 days and celebrate the Eid”, says Dr. Iqbal,
an Islamic scholar.
A typical Eid day begins with
special prayers offered in congregation of men, women and children
outside cities and metros just after the sunset. And then begins a
spectacular and unmatchable round of feast which lasts for 2-3
days after the Eid day.
“Eid is the occasion to re-unite
with family and friends, and reaffirm the social bonds. To do it,
Muslims exchange greetings, gifts, and visit each other’s homes
and share delicious foods specially prepared for the occasion. The
essential parts of the Eid menu are Sheerkhurma, Biryani and Korma
– all prepared in hundreds of different ways and having varying
tastes”, says Falak Naaz, a house wife.
“And then there are strong
traditions associated with the occasion. Though they vary from
region to region, Eidi – the gift in items and cash which every
elder would give to youngsters are something everyone waits for
the entire year”, she adds.
Interestingly, like other things Eid
al Fitr is also not spared from the impact of globalization. Due
to this, the occasion which once had only religious significance,
is slowly being converted into a huge shopping season. Right from
new costumes and footwear to expensive perfumes and cosmetics, the
markets everywhere are flooded with unique designs and latest
trends in fashion. This provides even non-Muslims an opportunity
to shop with plenty of things to choose from. Ask Aditi Shah, a
student, and she replies:
“Shopping this season is not only a
fun but it also gives us so many options in designs and rates
which are not available in other seasons.” Aditi with her mother and younger
brother was spotted by ummid.com in a crowded Malegaon market
named as Ramzan Bazaar to suite the occasion.
The impact of globalisation on Eid
Al Fitr does not limit just here. At some places in Gulf
especially in United Arab Emirate (UAE) which has a good number of
Indian expatriates, firecrackers – soundless and having only
amazing light effects – in order of course to save the
environment, are becoming common and they begin to glitter the skyline
as soon as the new moon is sighted.
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