Eid preparations are exciting, busy

By Mariah Ashraf Jamal, Los Angeles Times, Saturday, December 30, 2000

     When I was a child, I wondered why Muslim holidays were never on the same date year to year. I mean, Christmas is always on Dec. 25 and Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November. Why couldn't Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration after fasting 29 to 30 days during the month of Ramadan, be as predictable? I never quite knew how to explain it to my non-Muslim friends.

     My Muslim friends and I were overjoyed when Eid would fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Celebrating Eid on a weekday meant telling teachers that I would not be attending school the following day. That, in turn, meant I would have to make up schoolwork, maybe reschedule a test and feel bummed that my holy day didn't make the list to be declared a holiday.

     In college it was not as feasible to miss a class, although the professors understood. It's always anticlimactic when you get ready early in the morning to go pray with thousands of other Muslims and, instead of celebrating and visiting with family and friends after prayers, you have to rush to a 10 a.m. chemistry lab that meets once a week for three hours. Who wants to make up those notes?

     Muslims follow the Islamic lunar calendar. The dates of all holy days depend upon the moon. The new moon -- when the visible sliver is at its thinnest -- must be sighted the night before to declare the celebration the following morning. This year, the first day of Ramadan was on Nov. 27. That meant the new moon was visible the night of the Nov. 26.

     Even with all the scientific measures used to predict the new moon in advance, people still have a lot of fun going out moon sighting. Muslims can gather at their local mosques, go to a mountain or hilltop, or go out in their backyards or up on their roofs to observe the moon with the naked eye, telescopes or binoculars.

     Nowadays at the beginning of Ramadan, Eid is usually predicted as well to eliminate any confusion. This enables mosques throughout the United States and the world to celebrate Eid on one day instead of some mosques celebrating on different dates.

     But complications can arise. Sometimes the new moon is not seen on the day predicted. This makes it difficult to take a day off from work. Try explaining to your boss: "I need Monday or Tuesday off -- I'm not sure which." My father would take two days off to avoid confusion. And my teachers sometimes were surprised to see me at school when I had told them I would not be coming.

     "We didn't see the new moon last night," I explained. "Eid will be tomorrow."

     In accordance with Islam, if two respected people in the community have witnessed the new moon at the same time, it is to be taken as truth. Sunni Muslims usually go by what has been declared in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. If the new moon has been sighted there, Sunni Muslims around the world adhere to that sighting. But out of fun or for personal satisfaction, they like to see it for themselves, too.

     If the new moon has been confirmed, everyone congratulates one another by saying, "Ramadan Mubarak!" (holiday blessings). The same rings true for the end of Ramadan. Ramadan can be 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon. This year, Ramadan lasted 30 days and the last day to fast was on Tuesday, meaning Eid was on Wednesday. So on Tuesday night people gathered again to see whether the moon was at its thinnest and the Eid ka Chaand (new moon of Eid, as it is called in the Urdu language of Pakistan) was seen.

     As with Christmas, a lot of preparations go with Eid. Houses bustle with cooking and cleaning. And new clothes are a must. Kids nowadays expect presents over cash -- at least the younger ones do.

     Last-minute shopping for clothes and presents usually takes place on Chaand Raath (the eve of Eid). In Pakistani culture, it is customary for husbands, fathers or brothers to get glass bangles for the ladies in their families. Applying henna (mehndi) to the hands for women and girls is customary on that night. New clothes are picked up at tailor shops at the last minute and boutiques are open late for finding that perfect outfit.

     Getting clothes made is a big deal for Pakistani women -- and men as well. Orders are placed months in advance to make sure the clothes will be ready for Eid. Shops stay open late and there is hardly enough room to walk around. Elated people race against the clock to get everything done. It's the most exciting part of Eid for many.

     After 30 days of fasting from dawn until dusk, Muslims hope that God will accept their efforts. We feel that we have worked -- sacrificing a normal routine of eating and drinking -- and hope we have gained something in return.

     Eid al-Fitr lasts three days, and Muslims are forbidden to fast on those days. On the first day, men, women and children attend Eid prayers, which were at the Ontario Convention Center for those who reside in the Inland Valley. Those who live near Los Angeles attended the Great Western Forum, while those in Orange County and the San Fernando Valley gathered at their respected venues.

     At the Ontario Convention Center, Eid prayer had to be split into two shifts because of the thousands who attended. It was a pretty impressive turnout even though Eid fell in the middle of the workweek.

     Since most of the kids were on their winter school break, it worked out well for them. No making up missed work or running to a lecture. Now that's the way to celebrate. But we can't get too comfortable. Next year, Eid al-Fitr will be about 10 to 11 days earlier. Mark your calendars