Rabat – The end of Ramadan is a special event for the Muslim world, and to properly cap off such a wonderful holiday the start of a new celebration begins. Eid Al-Fitr is a celebrations that gives Muslims everywhere a chance to come together with their families and display acts of kindness and compassion to display their gratitude.
How Moroccans Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
Honey drenched pastries aside, Eid Al-Fitr is most importantly a religious occasion.Some Moroccans wake early and head out to their neighborhood mosque for a morning Eid sermon and congregational prayers.
Following the prayer,Eid Al-Fitr festivities are generally relaxed. Extended family may assemble for happy dinners, beginning with elaborate breakfasts and then later indulging in the main meal of the day; or immediate family may eat at home and afterwards and spend the evening visiting relatives.
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While gift giving and decorating of homes and open spaces might be normal in the West or different places in the Muslim world, Moroccan holiday observance is not commercialized.It is not common to exchange gifts, especially amongst adults, however many families give gifts to children, for example clothes,or less often, small toys… It is more common for parents and grandparents to celebrate with blessings on children in the form of pocket money.
Zakat Al-Fitr
To guarantee that even the less fortunate have the chance to celebrate the occasion, heads of the household donate food to those who need it. The food usually takes the form of necessities and staples such as wheat or flour.
This act is called Zakat Al-Fitr or Sadaqa Al-Fitr and happenson the day of Eid Al-Fitr. Many families make their donations in the days preceding the Eid.
This Zakat serves to cleanse Muslims of any slip-ups during Ramadan. Additionally, Zakat Al-Fitr is given to the poor and needy at the end of the fasting month, Ramadan,so they can celebrate Eid without financial worry.
You can start giving Zakat Al-Fitr in the last few days of Ramadan and it must be completed before the Eid Ul-Fitr prayers are conducted; failing to do so invalidates your Zakat.
The value of Zakat in Morocco this year is estimated at MAD 13 and usually it is the family breadwinner who makes the donations.
Mohammed the prophet emphasized the importance of delivering zakat, which is obligatory, before the eid prayer. If the act is performed after the prayers it becomes a kind of charity or “sadaqa”rather than zakat.
Traditional Meals at Eid Al-Fitr
Food is very important to Moroccan culture and family life and preparations for the end of Ramadan see Moroccan women occupied in the kitchen preparing traditional Moroccan pastries, as well as possibly enjoying mint tea in the morning after weeks of caffeine free days.
Others buy treats or desserts from nearby bakeries and arrange the newly bought pastries in tempting spreads.
Although an Eid supper could consist of a variety of dishes, common choices are couscous, lamb or beef with prunes, chicken with preserved lemons and olives, chicken Bastilla, or lamb or beef brochettes.
Eid Al-Fitr makes its way to the White House
Another fun fact about Eid Al-Fitr is that its celebrated across the globe.Hillary Clinton facilitated the first Eid al-Fitr at White House in 1996. Afterward, the Clintons proceeded with the tradition each year.
The dinner was attended by the prominent members of the Muslim American community, including politicians , leaders and students. With the progression of time, the Eid al-Fitr supper tradition has proceeded with each president. Geroge W Bush and Barack Obama facilitated the Ramadan supper each time of his administration.
No matter, what are the alternative names of this festival, the emotion of every Muslim individual will always remain the same. But still, if you want to cognize what people of other countries say while conveying the best wishes of this occasion, then keep reading. Eid al-Fitr also is known as “Ramazan Bairami” in Azerbaijan, “Lebaran” in Indonesia, “Korite” in Senegal, “Hari Raya Puasa” in Malaysia.
