Spirit of Eid

After a month of fasting families across the Muslim world are preparing to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and reporter Farishta Saeed, inset, asks one Bahraini family what it means to them.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year, is followed by Shawwal and its first three days are Eid.

Eid Al-Fitr is all about celebrating the good things that we have received. Every household who can afford it must pay a form of tax (sadaqah) in the days leading up to the special occasion.

It is a very small amount, and is paid for each person in the family. Traditionally the tax is in the form of food, although nowadays most people give the equivalent in money.

The cash, or food, is given to the poor, so that they too can celebrate Eid. The tax is not collected by anyone, and no one is forced to pay it, but it is required as a religious act.

Many decorate their houses for Eid and everyone buys new clothes.

On the morning of Eid, people get up very early to go to prayers. These are special prayers, held only at Eid. After the prayers everyone goes home to eat breakfast and then the celebrations really begin.

On the day children receive gifts or money (Eidiyah).

Eid means family gathering for Gulf Air public relations manager Adnan Malek.

"Eid is all about being with your family and close relatives. I hardly have enough time to spend it with my relatives during my working days or the short weekends, so Eid for me is a great opportunity to meet with everyone," said the 33-year-old Bahraini father.

"In short, Eid is a re-union for the entire family."

Adnan is married to 35-year-old Indian project manager, Banu Malik. The couple has two girls, Rasha, three, and six-months-old, Sophia.

"On the first day of Eid, we get up in the morning, dress up the girls with their new Eid outfits, get ready and go to my parents house," he said.

"When all my aunts, uncles and cousins arrive we distribute Eid gifts to each other and make sure that the little ones in the family receive their Eidiyah.

"After that we set the table and eat a selection of mouth-watering dishes, later we sit and enjoy long talks and update each other with what is going on in our lives."

Adnan said the whole occasion is about giving and receiving love.

"I see so much love during Eid ... everyone is happy and enjoying his or her day, I always look forward to this special occasion," he said.

"It is like a new beginning for everyone, no problems and no worries.

"After a whole month of fasting, getting back to our daily eating habits is a bit difficult in the first few days. We also stay up late during Ramadan, so it is nice to go back to our normal routine."

His wife, Banu makes sure that her daughters are dressed up in new clothes on Eid.

"It is a time of celebration, so it nice to see little children dressed up in new colourful outfits during Eid," she said.

"I enjoy shopping for my girls and as a mother it brings joy to my heart to see my girls all dressed up nicely and looking beautiful.

"I agree with what Adnan said about the concept of Eid, because he has about 150 family members here in Bahrain and we do see them all during the holidays.

"For us Eid is about family, food, love, fun and a little too much of gossiping!" she said jokingly.

"When so many people gather up under one roof there must be some innocent gossiping."

Banu said they also make time for close friends.

"Eid is not only a celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan but it is also about thanking God for his blessings," she said.