Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. It is an Arabic word meaning "festivity" and truly it is, not just for Muslims, but more so, for non-Muslims like me. Muslims celebrate it in a day. For non-Muslims, Eid means celebration for the next 11 months; discos and bars opening again, drinking and eating anytime.
Tomorrow, September 10, UAE celebrates Eid. It's their equivalent of New Year. Familiar scenes: Muslims wearing new clothes, cooking delicious foods, meeting their families and acquaintances, giving gifts to loved ones especially the children and some visiting the graves of their ancestors. Muslims all over world rejoice together, hug each other and double the happiness among their hearts. After Eid – everything's back to normal, Muslims bomb each other. Pakistanis wear their new clothes unchanged for the next couple of days – maybe weeks.
The celebration of Eid or the end of Ramadan is determined by the moon sighting committee. I wonder what happens if the moon doesn’t show up or suddenly a huge asteroid breaks it to pieces. Would there still be a celebration? Armageddon will tell.
As expected, malls will be mammothly crowded tomorrow. Muslim Arabic families will take a day out of their mansions to display their colors, mostly white for men, black for women and rainbow for their children. Arrogance in class act will be wide spread. After the holidays, malls are back emptied. Dubai is shopping haven - no more.
The end of Ramadan also brings in some bad and good news. Muslims have no more excuses to tardiness and taxi drivers stopping for prayer breaks. Regular office hours resume for all business. Productivity is going to pick up – as Dubai badly needed.
Starting Friday, our holiday is extended until Sunday. By now, many have already left Dubai to spend the 3 day weekend in other emirates. Nice places to go to – the greens and mountains of Al-Ain, the beaches at Ras Al Khaimah, crabbing and island hopping in Um Al Quwain. As for me, maybe I'll just go blog hopping (para tipid).
Next year, the Eid (and the observance of Ramadan) will fall on the whole month of August. It is probably the world's most flexible (holiday) celebration, greatly contingent on the sighting of the moon. It is just so amazing how these tradition has evolved this way without losing its essense. Wish non-Muslims could also celebrate fixed dated holidays without compromising relavance and sacredness.
Tomorrow, September 10, UAE celebrates Eid. It's their equivalent of New Year. Familiar scenes: Muslims wearing new clothes, cooking delicious foods, meeting their families and acquaintances, giving gifts to loved ones especially the children and some visiting the graves of their ancestors. Muslims all over world rejoice together, hug each other and double the happiness among their hearts. After Eid – everything's back to normal, Muslims bomb each other. Pakistanis wear their new clothes unchanged for the next couple of days – maybe weeks.
The celebration of Eid or the end of Ramadan is determined by the moon sighting committee. I wonder what happens if the moon doesn’t show up or suddenly a huge asteroid breaks it to pieces. Would there still be a celebration? Armageddon will tell.
As expected, malls will be mammothly crowded tomorrow. Muslim Arabic families will take a day out of their mansions to display their colors, mostly white for men, black for women and rainbow for their children. Arrogance in class act will be wide spread. After the holidays, malls are back emptied. Dubai is shopping haven - no more.
The end of Ramadan also brings in some bad and good news. Muslims have no more excuses to tardiness and taxi drivers stopping for prayer breaks. Regular office hours resume for all business. Productivity is going to pick up – as Dubai badly needed.
Starting Friday, our holiday is extended until Sunday. By now, many have already left Dubai to spend the 3 day weekend in other emirates. Nice places to go to – the greens and mountains of Al-Ain, the beaches at Ras Al Khaimah, crabbing and island hopping in Um Al Quwain. As for me, maybe I'll just go blog hopping (para tipid).
Next year, the Eid (and the observance of Ramadan) will fall on the whole month of August. It is probably the world's most flexible (holiday) celebration, greatly contingent on the sighting of the moon. It is just so amazing how these tradition has evolved this way without losing its essense. Wish non-Muslims could also celebrate fixed dated holidays without compromising relavance and sacredness.
HAPPY EID EVERYONE!
Thanks for the visit. Opo, I will try to visit you as often as I can. And thank you for joining PEBA 2010. Good luck
ReplyDeletehi Sam! thanks for visiting . i've also added you in my list. enjoy!
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