[caption id="attachment_1852" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Spending time with family[/caption]
After a long month of fasting, Muslims look forward to the three–day holiday, Eid Al-Fitr, which creates a welcome rest from fasting and abstaining, as friends and family come together and celebrate in breaking the fast. It's a time to relax, socialize, and enjoy some great meals together. Once you've replenished your energy stores, there is always time for some shopping.
Yes, it's the perfect time to indulge and take part in all sorts of fun activities, but for some, handing out gifts and too much chatting and picking up treats from relatives can be a bit tiresome, especially considering how large Muslim families are.
[caption id="attachment_1853" align="alignright" width="300"]
Kids love their gifts![/caption]
As the Eid celebration draws near, families prepare their homes so that they can receive guests and then stock up on treats. Kaak El-Eid, a home-baked traditional sweet is made using either pistachio, walnuts or dates. Any home you visit during Eid is sure to have loads of these delicious treats to serve to guests.
Gifts are also an important part of Eid and include some traditional gifts such as Eid outfits and other new clothing. In addition to these offerings, is zakat, where the homeless and poor are given gifts as well. These may include food, clothes or even money. Many offer large donations to charitable organizations at this time of the year, which is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate!
Once the first day of Eid begins, there is quite a lovely atmosphere as Muslims gather in the mosques for their morning prayers. After that friends and family meet and greet one another, as they go from house to house, indulging in the sweet foods on offer. After a while, some may have overindulged slightly and just want to get the last few visits over. It's also a good way to avoid all the small talk amongst relatives and friends, although it's awesome to see them.
The kids love it, though, they can carry on eating all day and not have to bother about all the chit-chat going on and are showered with gifts and money from grandparents and aunts and uncles.
If you've got any time to spare, you can also attend some Eid events in your area, which include a variety of entertainment for adults and kids. Either way, there is always plenty to see and do during Eid, and the best part of it is that there is plenty of food!
Spending time with family[/caption]
After a long month of fasting, Muslims look forward to the three–day holiday, Eid Al-Fitr, which creates a welcome rest from fasting and abstaining, as friends and family come together and celebrate in breaking the fast. It's a time to relax, socialize, and enjoy some great meals together. Once you've replenished your energy stores, there is always time for some shopping.
Yes, it's the perfect time to indulge and take part in all sorts of fun activities, but for some, handing out gifts and too much chatting and picking up treats from relatives can be a bit tiresome, especially considering how large Muslim families are.
[caption id="attachment_1853" align="alignright" width="300"] Kids love their gifts![/caption]
As the Eid celebration draws near, families prepare their homes so that they can receive guests and then stock up on treats. Kaak El-Eid, a home-baked traditional sweet is made using either pistachio, walnuts or dates. Any home you visit during Eid is sure to have loads of these delicious treats to serve to guests.
Gifts are also an important part of Eid and include some traditional gifts such as Eid outfits and other new clothing. In addition to these offerings, is zakat, where the homeless and poor are given gifts as well. These may include food, clothes or even money. Many offer large donations to charitable organizations at this time of the year, which is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate!
Once the first day of Eid begins, there is quite a lovely atmosphere as Muslims gather in the mosques for their morning prayers. After that friends and family meet and greet one another, as they go from house to house, indulging in the sweet foods on offer. After a while, some may have overindulged slightly and just want to get the last few visits over. It's also a good way to avoid all the small talk amongst relatives and friends, although it's awesome to see them.
The kids love it, though, they can carry on eating all day and not have to bother about all the chit-chat going on and are showered with gifts and money from grandparents and aunts and uncles.
If you've got any time to spare, you can also attend some Eid events in your area, which include a variety of entertainment for adults and kids. Either way, there is always plenty to see and do during Eid, and the best part of it is that there is plenty of food!