Eid Mubarak to You and Yours

A'salaam alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuhu. Eid Mubarak to all of you and may Allah's peace and blessings find you no matter where you are. May He guide and protect us and comfort those of the Ummah who are suffering around the world. Ameen.

For many of us, today marks the end of Ramadan. It is a day of celebration and remembrance of Allah but for those who don't know much about it, in sha Allah this will be of some benefit to you.

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting sawm. The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. However, in most countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

Traditionally, it is the day (beginning at sunset) of the first sighting of the crescent moon shortly after sunset. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets, then it is the following day.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting Eid Mubarak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘id ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings in the local language. Muslims are also encouraged to forgive any differences with others or any animosities that occurred through the rest of the year. 

It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid. It is customary to acknowledge this with a small sweet breakfast, preferably of date fruit, before attending a special Eid prayer, known as salaat and as an obligatory act of charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy (In Arabic this is called Sadaqat-ul-fitr) before performing the Eid prayer.

Many countries have their own ways of celebrating but along with prayer, in most there are special meals that are prepared including sweets and other treats which are shared by all of the neighbors, decorations are hung on houses and buildings, and gifts are exchanged. It is a time of togetherness, to show generosity to others who are less fortunate and to thank Allah for the blessings that He has bestowed upon us.

This is just a little about one of our holidays in Islaam. In sha Allah whoever reads this will find it beneficial. 

Wa Salaam!

Dear Mr. President: An Open Letter

Dear Mr. President, 

I am an American and a Muslim. I am a mother, a wife and a student at a major university. I am writing this letter because I, as well as most of the Muslim world and many others want to know, when will you step in and stop allowing Israel to unmercifully slaughter the people of Palestine?? 

While you, along with many other community leaders in this country are planning and promoting interfaith Iftar dinners to show solidarity among all faiths, when will you stand up for the Muslims of Palestine, Mr. President?? Stand up for the people of Gaza who are forced to perform their daily prayers while missiles and rockets rain down upon them; those people who are losing their homes and their families every hour of every day! 

My heart breaks and I am ashamed of this country and the other world leaders who refuse to acknowledge the fact that terrorism knows no boundaries! You, your constituents, opponents and your peers label any Muslim who chooses to stand up for themselves or our Ummah by fighting back against those who oppress them "jihadist", "extremist", "militant" but you choose to justify the obvious acts of terrorism of the Zionists against the Muslims of Palestine!! What is labeled as justified retaliation for an action of Hamas has turned into genocide! 

Mr. President, the world is crying out for an intercession by the leaders of the world on the behalf of the people of Gaza! Surely, you hear our plea to stop these crimes against humanity! 

Over the past five days, there have been over one hundred Palestinian lives lost due to Israeli military targeted missile attacks on civilian houses including innocent women and children!  

What are you waiting for, Mr. President?? What are you afraid of?? Are you worried about your position of authority?? You can't be re-elected for another term. 

Mr. President, nearly two years ago, you made a brief phone call to a hospital in Qatar. You spoke to a young Muslim woman, an American and an employee of Microsoft who suffered severe acid burns over half of her body. That woman was my sister and my best friend. That phone call from you meant the world to her and even though she had been made to see the hatred of some, she felt a sense of calm by speaking to you. The difference between that woman and the Muslims of Palestine is that she was American and they are not. This does not mean that they do not deserve to have a voice or be heard! They are enduring supreme hate because they are Muslim.

When will you be a voice for the people who need it, Mr. President?? When will you and the other leaders of the world see who are truly the oppressed and who are the oppressors!? 

Help the Muslim people of Gaza! Stand up for what is right and not for what will benefit you politically. 

-Oklahoma Niqabi