This week, over 2.5 million British Muslims will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr (commonly known as “Eid”), the festival that marks the end of the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast daily from dawn to dusk.
Eid is the most important festival in the Islamic calendar. It’s a day of celebration by each individual Muslim for his or her own achievements and an occasion to offer thanks to God (“Allah”) for giving them the strength and will to observe physical and spiritual fasting and rid themselves of negative characteristics – greed, gluttony, hatred and self-centeredness – in the month of Ramadan.
A special thanksgiving service – Eid prayer – is held and everyone leaves the service with renewed energies, being ready to face the year that lies ahead with renewed strength, greater understanding and universal goodwill.
This year on Eid, British Muslims will remember over 20 million people that have been affected by the disastrous floods in Pakistan. Leeds Makkah Mosque, has already raised over £30,000 for those affected by the flood over the course of the month of Ramadan. Their target was to raise £1,000 per day during the month and the mosque has successfully exceeded this. The funds raised will be sent to the affected areas in Pakistan through the Leeds Lord Mayor’s Pakistan Flood charity appeal.
Eid is a day when Muslims tend to transcend the often petty and trivial differences that tear families and communities apart in order to become a united positive force for change and harmony in their respective communities and throughout the globe.
By
Qari Asim
Imam at Makkah Mosque
36 Thornville Road Leeds LS6 1JY
