Jana Alkalef (14) bought herself a new dress on the internet and painted her hands to celebrate ID.
Diaa Abu Qatma (left), Selin Mansor and Riyad Aldaqes have spent the day eating good food and being with family and friends. Published: Published:
10. april
Arabic music flows into the premises of the Ny-Krohnborg cultural centre. Siblings Lana (5) and Lara (3) Alshammari jump up and down in their green tulle dresses. They have had their faces painted.
Dad Qusay Alshammari says that everyone in the family dresses up in extra nice dresses and national costumes on the occasion of the celebration.
Siblings Lana (5) and Lara (3) Alshammari have received a bag of goodies at the celebration.
Eid celebrations, the Muslim holiday, are taking place all over the world on Wednesday. In Bergen, too, people gather to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Everyday life resumes. The faithful had gathered in the mosque to participate in the special id prayer earlier on Wednesday. In Bergen, the ID prayer was organized in Haukelandshallen.
Later in the day, family and friends gathered to celebrate with feasts.
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Today id started. Here are five important details about the day.
– The best thing about ID is that I get time with my family, says Dana Alzreikat. She has six children. Here she is with her husband Ahmad Alkalaf and children Bsheer (to left), Norseen, Mayaseen and Jana.
The children receive money from the family
– I ordered my dress on the internet, says Jana Alkalef (14).
She is with her family to celebrate ID at the Ny-Krohnborg cultural centre. A celebration organized by Norwegian People’s Aid Solidarity Youth Bergen and the Women’s Network.
– What I like best about the celebration is that I get money from mum, dad and uncle. I’m saving for a mobile phone. Now I have NOK 1,200, she says.
Jana holds out her hands and shows off the beautiful patterns drawn with henna paint. She really dressed up today.
Mum Dana Alzreikat says that it is common for the children to get money for the ID celebration.
– In the same way that Norwegian children get presents at Christmas, she explains.
Dana originally comes from Syria, but now lives in Drotningsvik with her husband and six children.
– For us, it is important to be with other Muslims and eat good food. You have to try the cake I made, says Dana and holds out a piece of coconut cake from Syria.
Eid al-Fitr prayer in Haukelandshallen in 2019. Photo: Fred Ivar Utsi Klemetsen
When is Id celebrated?
- Id al-Fitr takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic “lunar calendar”, immediately following the month of Ramadan.
- The date of id al-fitr varies each year in the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and the months begin when the first crescent of a new lunar cycle becomes visible.
- This means that id al-fitr moves approximately 10–12 days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.
- The exact date depends on lunar sightings, and there may be differences in the sightings between different countries or societies, which may lead to id al-fitr being celebrated on different days.
- Local religious authorities or mosques usually announce the exact day of id al-fitr based on these observations.
– Feels illegal to eat
All along the wall are candies and cakes that the families have brought with them. What is baked can vary greatly from region to region and from family to family. In addition to sweet chocolate cakes, chips, soft drinks and snoopy bags for the children.
– I have tasted all the cakes, says Ahmad Omar (20) and holds his stomach.
He’s laughing.
– IM so full. But it’s a bit strange. In the first days after Ramadan, it feels illegal to eat. But the id celebration makes me very happy. It is a wonderful party with family and friends.
He is happy that the fast is over and that he is allowed to eat at any time.
Ahmad Omar says that it feels almost illegal to eat after a month of fasting. Here he supplies himself with coconut cake from Syria.
– Muslim Christmas Eve
Ibraheem Mansour from Palestine is only 17 years old, but has nevertheless taken responsibility for organizing the id party at Ny-Krohnborg Senter.
– I am happy that so many have turned up. For us it is like a Muslim Christmas Eve. It is a special day for us. We celebrate that we have made it through a long month and are closer to God.
Howaida Faisal Abdelrahman also joins the celebration. She is happy that Lent is over, but at the same time she is sad.
Howaida Faisal Abdelrahman thinks about his family in war-torn Sudan. – I wish I could celebrate id with them.
– I am from Sudan, where there is now a war. My mother, brother and sister are in their home country and they always call id. I haven’t spoken to them in months. It is difficult for me, she says.
Published:
Published: April 10, 2024 10:27 p.m
Updated: April 11, 2024 12:07 p.m