Eid an example of unity in diversity

Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two main religious festivals of Muslims across the world, is knocking on the door to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The festival was first observed at least 1,400 years ago in Madinah during the second year of the migration of  Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to the city. Historical records indicate it to be 623 or 624 AD. The Prophet (pbuh) introduced the festival as a celebration of ending the month-long fasting. According to the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month when all eligible Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and refrain from physical intimacy. They are also required to give charity to show kindness and patience. The ultimate goal is to purify their body and soul and strengthen their relationship with Allah. The month is also being observed to mark the revelation of the Quran, Islam's holy book, to the Prophet.

At the end of Ramadan, the month of Shawwal starts, and the first day is celebrated as Eid-ul-Fitr, which is thus known as the 'festival of breaking the fast'. In the morning of the day, Muslims join unique congregations in open spaces or masques to express their gratitude to the almighty for successfully ending Ramadan and also to get the opportunity to celebrate Eid. In the special prayer, the believers also seek the mercy of Allah to make the festival meaningful. The special congregation is also a social gathering where people exchange greetings. Moreover, before the prayers, Muslims have to pay the Sadaqatul-Fitr to the poor and the needy people so that they can also get some festival meals.  The day is a carnival of feasts, sweet treats, and the donning of new attires joined by family members, friends, neighbours, and the community.

So, Eid becomes a festival of inclusivity and not just a religious event. It is also a time for community and cultural sharing, as Muslims from different backgrounds come together to share their traditions. The Eid celebrations vary from region to region, depending on the local culture. Islam permits indigenous practices as long as those do not contradict the core spirit of the religion, where modesty in celebration is highly encouraged. Any unethical thing in the name of merriment is strictly prohibited during Eid or for that matter any occasion observed by Muslims. That's why excess spending is not permissible during the festival. Instead, Eid underscores sharing and caring.

The variation in socio-cultural activities also diversifies the Eid celebration across the world. The patterns of Eid celebration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) significantly vary from the observance in South Asia and East Asia. Variance is also visible within MENA. Due to cultural, geographical, and seasonal differences, meals, clothing, and social events differ. What is common is the core spirit and religious rituals, such as a special congregation in the morning.  

Eid also has a profound impact on the economy in countries with Muslim majorities, as it is a time for brisk business. Demand for food, clothing, appliances, transports and entertainment increased significantly before the festival.  People want to spend time making the celebration meaningful for their families and friends. Bangladesh is no exception, where aggregate demand increases on the occasion of Eid. The cash base of the economy also increases during the festival. As the last year's Eid-ul-Fitr was observed on April 11, money supply ( in terms of M3) jumped by 0.70 per cent in March which dropped to 0.32 per cent in April due to surge in pre-Eid flow of cash and monetary transactions.  The central bank statistics also showed cash base of the economy stood at Tk 3.562 trillion in March 2024, which declined to Tk 3.561 trillion in April last year. The data for the current year's pre-Eid money supply is still not available. There is, however, a guessstimate that the monetary value of Eid-centric economic activities may stand at Tk 2 trillion.

This year, the country will celebrate the Eid in a changed atmosphere. After the fall of the tyrant regime of Hasina on August 5 last year, it is the first Eid people are going to celebrate. Those who were suppressed over the years due to political vindictiveness and could not enjoy the festival with families and friends will feel better this time. The repressive regime also variously undermined the spirit of Eid.  Rampant corruption and plundering of financial assets over the years fuelled economic socio-economic disparity, making Eid celebration discriminatory.

Globally, it is a sad time for Muslims as Israel continues to slaughter Palestinians in Gaza, breaching the cease-fire deal on a flimsy excuse thanks to the backing of the United States (US), its president Donald Trump to be precise. Ongoing genocide in Gaza is now is normalised,  whatever Israel and its allies might say to the contrary. In a decade-long war that devastated Syria, there is little peace, and Muslims are struggling hard. The situation in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen is also not different due to wars and conflicts primarily engineered by the Western powers.

Muslims are under persistent intimidation in India by Hindu extremists. Modi-led BJP government in India has terrorised the country's minorities, especially Muslims, by frequently uprooting them from their houses and properties.  

For all these Muslims, and many others in different parts of the world, a celebration of Eid is nowhere happening in the real sense of the term.  It is also sad to note that powerful Muslim countries, especially the Arab world, are yet to respond properly and adequately to reduce the endless suffering and man-made disasters affecting Muslims around the world.  The lack of greater unity among the Muslims only makes things worse, widening human tragedy. Eid brings an opportunity to address the sufferings to some extent. Muslims can send a message of harmony and co-existence to the rest of humanity and call to end the oppressions on fellow people. It is also an opportunity to extend global cooperation and stand behind all the oppressed people worldwide.    

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