By Eleanor Wilson
The local Muslim community marked the end of Ramadan on Monday 2 May, with a range of Eid celebrations.
Eid al-Fitr – the festival of breaking the fast- is one of the most significant festivals on the Islamic calendar.
It signifies the end of a month-long period of Ramadan in which Muslims refrain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
Islamic Education and Awareness of Casey Association (IEACA) commenced Eid celebrations bright and early with a 7:30 morning prayer at Akoonah Park in Berwick, where over 500 dedicated Muslims joined for a congregation of prayer led by Imam Khalil Ur Rahman.
Following the prayer and a sermon from Imam Khalil, members of the community embraced before returning home to prepare for further celebrations, visiting friends and family to wish them well and congratulate them on the breaking of the fast.
IEACA vice president Br Raihan Nawawi said his family hosted an ‘open house’ to mark Eid al-Fitr, inviting friends and family into his home for Holy Quran recitals, lots of food and quality time spent together.
“For the past two years we couldn’t have an open house, so [this year] we celebrated from 1pm to late in the night,” he said.
Br Nawawi said the month of Ramadan allows his fellow Muslims to be reminded of the blessings God brings them during the year.
“Ramadan is about acknowledging that God is the most compassionate, most loving and most merciful,” he said.
“It also teaches us to be compassionate, kind, loving and generous to human kind.”
