Sahar Mourad
Caring

An especially emotional Ramadan comes to an end

More than 600,000 Muslims across Australia and billions around the world celebrated the end of Ramadan this week.

After fasting from dawn to dusk for a month, Muslim families gathered for Eid al-Fitr festitivies which go on for three days.

This year’s Eid has been declared a lot more emotional following two years of restrictions which stopped families from getting together and celebrating. 

The morning of Eid sees worshippers head to the Mosque for the Eid prayer before wishing everyone an “Eid Mubarak” (Happy Eid). 

Families will gather at parks, houses, restaurants and feast on delicious foods as they commemorate the end of the holy month.

Everyone is dressed in their best clothing, with young children gifted with money from their elders.

Fellow worshipper Ivan Adnan was overwhelmed with emotions after being able to recite verses of the Quran and praying with members of the community. 

“As part of the festival, right after Eid namaz (prayers), men give each other three hugs, which in Bengali, in my language, we call it kola-koli. And women do the same with each other," he told SBS News.

"Last year and the year before, we couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t even go to prayer.”

This year meant a lot to Mr Adnan who felt a stronger “connection” to his faith and God.

"I felt so connected to God. And I felt so connected to my community. And I was overcome with emotion,” he said.

The next Ramadan is expected to fall around March 22 - based on the moon sighting.

You can have all your questions about Ramadan answered here.

Image: SBS/YouTube

Tags:
Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, food, prayer