Eid is upon us, and not a moment too soon!!

So, almost 30 days of Ramadan and it will finally draw to an end when the crescent moon remnants have finally disappeared into the universe.  The new moon marks the end of Ramadan just as the first crescent of the waxing moon marked its beginning in early August.  The end of Ramadan is known as Eid.

It has been an interesting time to observe and almost get a feel for what it is all about, but then again not really.  To the American in me, it has been a hindrance.  I have been unable to chew gum in public and I could most certainly not drink anything or eat anything in public from sunrise to sunset every day.  This meant reminding myself to throw out my gum every time I leave a building.  (I chew gum often as I have this "thing" about having bad breath.  I just don't like it and find it awfully offensive in others.  I don't want to subject anyone else to mine if I can help it.  ) BUT, to the spiritualist in me, it has been a bit of a disappointment. Disappointing because I haven't seen any overwhelming evidence of an increased spiritual energy hovering above the country, just some cranky, hungry folks waiting for sundown.  But then again, I am not hanging out at night with the Kuwaiti's, so I am clearly not in a position to judge. 

The calls to prayer still come all day and night long every day.  And I have to say, I really enjoy hearing it when it does happen.  I have not yet seen anyone respond to it by way of dropping to their knees, facing mecca and praying as I understand is the custom.  Maybe I just haven't been in the more religious sides of town?  I am not sure.  I do know that the mosques are BEAUTIFUL and varied and have a poetry to them that I wish I could share through personal photographs, but it is illegal to take pictures of them, and believe me, in these parts, when you hear the word "illegal", you just don't do it.  Whatever it is.  I don't care what the sentence is.  I don't want to know.  They say it is illegal.  I do not participate.  But, with the magic of Google Images, I think I can swing a little something in the photograph world....

This beauty is right down the street from me and I pass it regularly on my "sweat walks".   It's called "the Bee Mosque" as it resembles a beehive.  Sadly, the bottom of it is covered with graffiti, of all things.  I can only hope they sandblast that away soon, beause it is such a detractor. 

While we're at it, and also courtesy or Google Images, this is the Fatma Mosque in Kuwait day and night versions.... lovely.  In a lit up, jello mold kind of way....

So anyway, back to Eid, or Eid-ul-Fitr...Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to purify"; and so the holiday symbolizes the purification after completing the fasting month which is after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.  I don't have any idea what Shawwal is.  I can only assume it means the first day of the last day of Ramadan~ or something to that effect. 

After a month of "absolutely no eating or drinking during the sunshine hours, only to turn into ravenous, crazed, hungered beings who, at the exact moment of sunset, start a pig-out session to rival the ancient Romans", they will now have a breaking of the fast day which is usually started very early with a shower, the wearing of new clothes, the applying of perfume and a small breakfast with something sweet (usually dates).  Then they go to prayer.  Eid prayer can be something to see, I am told - but doubt I will see it as I will most likely be at work already. 

Eid prayer is often performed in congregation in open areas like fields, squares etc or at mosques.  The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua) asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for all living beings across the world. The khutbah also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat (giving alms to the poor). Listening to the khutbah of Eid is necessary (wajib) While this goes on, it is haraam (customary) to talk, walk about or offer prayer. It is then customary to embrace the persons sitting on either side of oneself, whilst greeting them. After the prayers, people visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances.  Hmmm, does this sound like any other religions we Westerners are more familiar with?  Nope, they are not all suicide bombers on a mission of death and destruction.  In fact, the vast majority are good, Allah-fearing and respecting people who believe in doing good and in tolerance. 

I hope we all remember to remember there are bad people everywhere.  Bad christians, bad muslims, bad jewish folks, bad whites, bad blacks, bad asians, bad latinos, bad republicans, bad democrats, bad men, bad women, bad priests, bad managers, bad drivers, bad singers, bad accountants, bad swimmers, bad husbands, bad wives...etc etc etc until oblivion.  You get the point.

The beauty of this world is in finding and getting to know and experience the "good" representation of all of these.  And there are SO many good.  Our tender, scared human souls tend to latch on to the negative and the fear-inspiring darkest examples of our brethren and then lump them together into tidy little negative packages with labels that make us feel better about ourselves and then justified when we lash out or stereotype.

YEARS ago, I wrote a thesis in college on achieving PEACE through tourism, education, open mindedness and world travel.  How simple that paper (and I) appeared back then. But the concept, and the belief that it is an irrefutable truth (at least to me) is something I carry with me to this day and will fight for till the day I die.