Warm U.S. salute to Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday on the first day of the month of Shawwal, which marks the end of Ramadan. It is one of the Muslim holidays, and the other is called Eid al-Adha, which is one of the days of Hajj, the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Muslims celebrated the first Eid al-Fitr in Islam in the second year of the Hijrah, after fasting the first Ramadan in that year (the Hijrah being the year prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, to escape persecution).

The meeting begins and welcomes the Eid prayer. It is usually held early in the morning in mosques, where men gather without the usual call to prayer. Eid prayer is followed by a short sermon delivered by the imam. On Eid, everyone wears the most beautiful clothes, men and women alike – and arrive after eating a small breakfast at home, after which greetings are exchanged with “Eid Mubarak” or “New Year’s Day.”

Children are more passionate about Eid, and they walk around the neighborhood greeting everyone and collecting “Eidiya.” That would mean some money or candy, the childrenchanting traditional songs and phrases as they knock on doors.

Muslim and non-Muslim countries celebrate this holiday, and these days the people of this country of all religions participate in their joy – and the most prominent of these countries is the United States. This is where the speech of President Biden and the First Lady was made; the two went out on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and stressed the importance of the role Muslims play in strengthening and enriching American society.

Speaking to the American people, Biden said, “As a nation, we must trust those who seek a better life, and keep pace with our commitment to being a beacon of hope for persecuted people.”

He also said in a statement issued by the White House, “As Muslims in the United States and the world conclude the month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, Jill and I offer our best wishes to everyone who celebrates… This is a happy occasion.

“Muslims in the United States are making our country stronger,” Biden continued. He concluded, “To all the revelers, Jill and I wish your and your loved ones a happy Eid. I hope that the spirit of community, compassion and service we witnessed during the last month continues throughout the year. Eid Mubarak!”

This type of discourse increases the effectiveness and cohesion of society and supports the spirit of love and respect so that everyone accepts each other and contributes to the emergence of conscious generations capable of co-existing with differences.

That’s how we really felt in Portland in those days, when people who knew us greeted us with kind words in public or in schools and really participated in the celebration. That’s what it means for the community to know what good citizenship means.