Eid Mubarak

Eid Ul Fitar (the Feast of Fast Breaking) or the festival of fast breaking is the biggest Muslim festival. Eid is from the Arabic word ‘oud’ or ‘the return’ to signify, well the strength and the endurance to observe the return of Eid each year. Eid-ul-Fitr (Id al-Fitr) is linked with the Holy month of Ramadan. It means the end of the month of fasting (the first day of the month of Shawwal). Fasting or Roza starts at sunrise and lasts awaiting sunset. During this time no food or water is eaten or drank. The main theme behind Roza is to understand the difficulty of the poor and pledge to live a more significant and meaningful life. Prophet Mohammed said, "if a person observing fast does not shun untruth, his having given up eating and drinking is of little value. Such a person starves for nothing. And those who rise in the midnight to recite prayers but do not give up untruth and evil deeds, lose their sleep for nothing."

‘Fitr’ means a donation. It is given away to the poor and the needy people during Ramzan. Fitr is a must for every Muslim and each member of the family must contribute 1.75kg of wheat and 3.5kg of barley rice. Fitr is distributed to the poor people so that they can take care of their needs and celebrate Eid with the rest of the community. This day, for Muslims all over the world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The rejoicing is not, however, at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it is the happiness which anyone feels after successfully completing an important task. The festival is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. It is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of the Shavval month of the Hijri year (Muslim year). It is believed that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the month of Ramzan. Eid is a great day of festival for Muslims. The Eid day is enjoying for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume. Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in worship.

Nari Jibon staff and students will celebrate the Eid Ul Fitar. Nari Jibon office and Blog posting activities will remain closed from 12th October, 2007 to 16th October, 2007 on account of celebrate Eid. We will restart our Blog activities from 17th October,2007. Eid Mubarak to Nari Jibon blog readers, staff, students and the people around the world.

Special Eid greetings to Dr. Kathryn B. Ward, Katie Zaman, Pat and Bill Ward (celebrating 55 years of marriage this month!), David Sasaki, Masud Zaman, Zeenat Chowdury, Lindsay Greer, Sandy Rosencrans, Rezwan and all grantees of Rising Voices.