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Eid Festival

(13 Posts)
tanith Wed 06-Jul-16 15:34:21

We have an Eid Fest local to us I was just wondering if its allowed for non muslims to attend? I've looked and I can't find any info about it. You can buy tickets online and its all open air in a local park but I notice there are lots of prayers throughout the day.Later there are lots of different activities going on I thought it would be very interesting to go along but I just don't know if its ok to do that.

kittylester Wed 06-Jul-16 16:05:48

I'd go along and ask at the gate. I'm sure you would be welcomed and it's a lovely thing to do in the wake of all the nastiness that is going on. Let us know how it goes.

ninathenana Wed 06-Jul-16 16:09:58

Is there a web site or somewhere that lists local events?
As it's all open air I would have thought you would be welcomed with open arms.
As kitty says let us know.

DaphneBroon Wed 06-Jul-16 16:11:10

Grace is fervently hoping there won't be ???

TriciaF Wed 06-Jul-16 16:50:49

Eid means festival and there are two main Eids in the Muslim calendar. Which is lunar, so the dates very from year to year.
This one marks the end of Ramadan, the month of daytime fasting. Very difficult this year as it fell at the time of longest days. There's a big feast evidently.
The other Eid falls in September this year and commemorates the biblical story of Abraham being told by God to sacrifice Isaac. He kills a sheep instead eventually. So the festival involves slaughtering a sheep.
Husband once went with a friend of ours who has a sheep farm to the sheep market at that time, and there were many Muslims bidding for the best animals.
Tanith - sorry no idea if non-Muslims can attend though, it would probably be ok.

jollyg Wed 06-Jul-16 17:01:45

Islam is an all inclusive religion.

You will be most welcome to any celebrations.

I travelleled alone in Pakistan on a bus, in the High Karakorams. No langage. A family of women were very friendly towards me,

Where was my family etc, all done by sign language. I had some fotos of my husband and kids. They were passed all round the bus.

I left the bus with my pockets full of oranges and hugs all round.
A magic memory

shysal Wed 06-Jul-16 17:19:41

The leisure centre I attend had been partially taken over by this celebration this morning. There wasn't a parking space to be found on site! The doors were wide open so people were looking inside. The women and children were wearing such wonderful colourful clothes! I heard one little girl saying this was the best day of her life!

Joelsnan Wed 06-Jul-16 17:39:38

I am sure you would be made very welcome. It is a time of celebration at the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr. The celebration is usually family orientated, children sometimes get a small gift and there is lots of food. Having lived in a Muslim country for some time I have to say that both Ramadan and Eid al Fitr are lovely and inclusive times.

tanith Wed 06-Jul-16 20:29:19

Thanks everyone I'm going to see if my visiting family like the idea so we can all go along.

rubylady Thu 07-Jul-16 02:06:25

I went to Dunelm yesterday (Tuesday) and the poor girl on the counter said that she had to work for Eid as she was shifted on on the rota. I said that it was awful and someone should have swapped shifts with her but she said that no one would. How awful that this young woman missed out on being with her family at a celebration time. And how awful that no one would swap with her. I would have if I had worked there as we have Christmas off for Christian celebrations so I thought it only fair for this lovely young woman to be able to celebrate her own culture.

ashmi Tue 12-Jul-16 05:47:13

I don't think there would be any problem. Go and have fun!!

rosesarered Tue 12-Jul-16 07:10:42

You may get a few strange looks Tanith, but it would be interesting to see.If in a local park, why should you need tickets?Surely it's a free event?
Rubylady, many Christians have to work at Christmas, and also at Easter and other Holy Days.

Nana3 Tue 12-Jul-16 08:11:32

Did you go Tanith?