Muslims reflect on Prophet Muhammad during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations

By Davina Ramdass

Muslims across Guyana on Tuesday ended the fasting period of Ramadan with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, which saw sweetmeats and gifts being distributed on Wednesday in observance of that celebration.
While most Guyanese look forward to Eid-ul-Fitr, also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, because of sweetmeats, the day is for Muslims very symbolic, as it reminds them of the doings of the Prophet Muhammad when he was on earth.
Guyana Times caught up with Imam of the Peter’s Hall Masjid on the East Bank of Demerara, who explained the significance of the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.
“Today (Tuesday) we celebrate the ending of the holy month of Ramadan, (in) which we had 29 days of fasting, and so it is now the end of the fast. It’s the first day of the new month, and we have our celebration after one month of fasting,” he explained.
Fasting, for Muslims, is important, as it reminds them of the human beings Allah wants them to be. In fact, during this period, Muslims stay away from eating, drinking and ‘worldly pleasures’ among other things from dawn to sunset. This, the Imam said, is intended to train persons in Islam to be Godly, as no lies, fighting, arguing or malice-bearing is permitted.
Ramadan usually lasts for about 29 or 30 days. This year it wrapped up within 29 days, after the moon was sighted on Tuesday evening.
During Ramadan, Muslims would visit the Mosque for daily prayers. It is their hope to continue these traits even after Ramadan has been concluded.
The sighting of the moon plays a vital part in this holiday. “In the Islamic calendar, the moon shows every month, and from one moon to the next moon is…one month. So…the starting of every moon marks the starting of the month; so for us to know when the month (starts), we have to see the new moon…(when it) disappears, then the month (has finished)”, the Imam explained.
He further stated that the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr begins with prayers. The morning after Ramadan concludes, believers would gather at the Mosque, where they are reminded of what is expected of them as they seek to obey their creator.
Imam Intiaz Sahid said the worshippers at his mosque would usually participate in a feast following the sermon, wherein food and drinks are shared among believers. It is a time of laughter and celebration as they reflect on their time of devotion towards Allah and meditate on the way forward.
Following this, he explained, some Muslims would also share meals with family members while some would share sweetmeats to their neighbours, co-workers, friends, and even the less fortunate.
“This is the time when we distribute to the poor. This is the time when we have a ruling that for everybody who fasted they give one gallon of grain, or equivalent of one gallon of grain for every member of the home. So if you have five people in the home, you have to give five gallons of grain or equivalent in cash towards a poor or needy (person), so that they may be able to have an Eid, and this is supposed to be paid before you pray (to break the fast),” the Imam informed.
This is all done to mirror the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The Muslim leader explained, “Basically, Allah is our creator. He orders our command…our holy Prophet, who was a human being, was our teacher, and in his lifetime he did the same thing, and what we are doing is following what he did and what he taught us”.