City’s Muslims say ‘Eid Mubarak’

Muslims in the city celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday. The exact day differs from place to place, depending on the sighting of the new moon, when the month of Ramadan ends and so the month-long fasting.
In Polokwane, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Saturday and male Muslims gathered at various venues to attend morning prayers and to wish one another ‘Eid Mubarak’, that is actually the same as saying ‘Happy New Year’. It is a congratulatory greeting, and on Eid-ul-Fitr usually the first words to say when greeting another Muslim.
After the prayers, families and friends get together to feast on a day of celebrations, good traditional food and drinks and declare their homes open to all who wish to visit and share in the festivities. Visitors are sent off with a hamper of delicacies to enjoy later.
According to Solly Hassen, prominent resident of Nirvana, the men also visit the cemetery to pay respects to those that have passed away.
Later in the day, families that have lost beloved ones are also visited and supported.
The Muslim community’s next major celebration is Eid-ul-adha, the Muslim New Year, and takes place on 23 September this year.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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