Eid Festival Celebration in Nepal
There are many followers of Islam religion in Nepal. We’d like to write about one of our important festivals, Id or id-ul-Fitr. It is, in fact, the most important festival of the Muslim community. It is also celebrated as the New year. It is celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramjan, the holy month of Islamic calendar. It falls sometimes in the month of July.
The word ‘EID is derived from the word ‘wd’ means festival and that comes from ‘uzhaiyya’ which translates to ‘sacrifice’. It is a new festival of Muslims according to Hijri or Hijarat era. The Muslims serve a month-long fast called Roza during the month of Ramjan. They don’t eat anything, not even drink during the daytime. All the family members sit together and offer after the sun set. They believe that this will purify and make them disciplined.
They celebrate the last day of Ramjan as Eid-al – fitr. They congratulate, embrace and greet each other. ‘Eid Mubarak’ which means happy New Year. They wear new clothes, eat the variety of sweets and visit their friends and relatives. They go to the mosque and read Namaz. They also give alms called zakat to the poor, disabled and needy people. Mecca and Medina are two holy places of the Muslims.
During this month, Muslims observe a month long fast. They don’t eat or drink anything after the sunrise and before the sunset. They eat only one meal after the sunset. This fast is called Roza. Therefore, Id is also called the Feast Breaking of the Fast which means the end of Ramjan.
On the day of Id, people go to a mosque, read Namaz and pray to Allah, the God of peace and prosperity. They exchange greetings by saying ‘Id Mubarak ‘and ‘Happy Id’. Id festival is an occasion of feast and rejoices. Family get-togethers and feasts are the highlights of the celebration. On this occasion, people give alms called Zakat to poor people. Delicious dishes like Segways are served in this festival. It is the time to forget all the past differences and grievances. This festival unites all the Muslims all over the world.
Happy EId to all.
