Muslims Celebrate Eid al Fitr
Staff Writer, Ottawa Muslim Network

 Eid Mubarak

Today as Muslims woke at the break of dawn to offer their morning prayer (fajr), they would have greeted their family members with Eid Mubarak (Eid Blessings) and  recite the following words:

These words of attestation of faith and praising of God would continue to be repeated until the Eid al Fitr prayer is held.  Muslims around the world would have followed the same practice.  Throughout this day of celebration, one would continue to hear the greeting of Eid Mubarak followed by handshake and hugs from family and friends.  

The Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA) sponsored the  Eid Al-Fitr prayer today at the Ottawa Congress Centre to celebrate the Festival of Feasting  following the holy month of Ramadan. 

Thousands from among the  over 60,000 Muslims who live in the Ottawa region  attended the prayer.   Two prayers were held to accommodate the large crowd.   A number of other mosques and Muslim organizations such as the Islamic Society of Cumberland, Jamiatul Muslimeen of Ottawa-Carleton, and the Muslim Association of Canada also made arrangements in other locations to accommodate the growing Muslim population in the city of Ottawa. 

This year  Eid al Fitr happens to fall on a weekend  during the holiday season.   Friends and family members from other cities have also taken the opportunity to visit dear ones.  This Ramadan is an especially reflective time because of current world events affecting Muslims irrespective of their ethnic or cultural background.  

For Abdirizak Warsame, Eid al Fitr is always a special time for him.  Originally from Somalia, Abdirizak came to Canada as a refugee and is now married with four children.  His children, all Canadian born, is exposed to all aspects of the Muslim faith.  These Eid gatherings provide his family with the opportunity to see and experience the unique occasion where Muslims of all race and nationality gather under the banner of one faith - Islam.

Imam Gamal Solaiman from the Ottawa Mosque delivered the sermon for the first prayer and spoke of the need of the Muslim community at large to give a "good example to humanity as to how to live a decent life".  He mentioned that "we should not express hate when we are forced with hate, but express patience".  

The Imam commented that we are living in a time that "requires a lot of patience".  Action is being taken "in the name of human rights and democracy....but what a big lie".    He counseled that one should not let  these trials defeat you from within - do not let anyone divert you from the path of humanity.  He emphasized that  Muslims should not "pay the price of sacrificing their dignity or their religion".

Mohamed Rida Beshir delivered the  sermon of the second prayer and  spoke of the importance  of being steadfast and patient.  This is " another lesson we can learn from of Ramadan".  He said that we should ask ourselves of what "we have really achieved during the month of Ramadan".

He posed the question for all to reflect upon "do we feel the brotherhood - that we are all part of one Ummah (community)"?  "We are not Pakistani, Indian, Arab, Somali, etc. but we are all Muslims, one Ummah".  Beshir reminded the worshippers that this day of Eid, is "a day of happiness, a day to rejoice with one's spouse, family, friends, and neighbours - the reward of your fasting is with Allah".

Ramadan is a time when Muslims are most generous and the Eid prayers and gatherings provide the opportunity for the many worshippers to give their voluntary and obligatory donations.  Abdul Waheed Syed, the President of the Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA) thanked everyone for their generous donations for various projects sponsored by the OMA and encouraged them to continue their support of the Association.  

After a month of discipline, inward reflection, and intense worship, many in the Muslim community hope that they are better prepared spiritually to face the many challenges ahead. 

Balloons always popular at Eid celebrations

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