COLUMBUS, Oh., 5 November 2005 — The Muslim community in United States celebrated Eid Al-Fitr on Thursday with enthusiasm, fervor and some confusion.
Confusion stemmed from the fact that many mosques in Illinois, Ohio, Pittsburgh and California left recorded messages on their answering machines in the middle of the day stating that Eid would be celebrated on Friday. Many Islamic websites also carried the same message. But the twist in the story came late in the night with the announcement that Eid would instead be celebrated on Thursday.
“I find it disturbing that mosques should predict the status of moon in the afternoon even before the evening falls,” Hena, a Chicago housewife said while talking to Arab News on the phone.
“Some people did not even know till late morning that they were not supposed to fast but go to the mosque for Eid prayers. And you know how much work we women have on Eid day.”
“There is one moon and yet two and three Eid in the United States. People think it does not matter which day it is, as long as it is celebrated,” Ahmed, a Jordanian-American expressed dismay over modern Muslim attitudes.
But Eid on Thursday served as a unifying factor as the majority of the Muslims celebrated Eid together. People from different countries wore their traditional dresses but stood side by side, united in prayer.
A small minority of people in Sacramento, California, and Columbus celebrated Eid yesterday also but no congregational prayers will be held in mosques for them.
Hodo, a Somali-American told Arab News, “We have great respect for Saudi Arabia and look upon King Abdullah as the leader of the Arab world. I believe all Muslims should celebrate Eid in unison with KSA.”
Eid prayers were held in Columbus in several locations. Most sermons emphasized the need for practicing Islam and carrying the spirit of Ramadan to the rest of the year. Donations were solicited for several projects, but only a handful of people gave out small bills. A mosque worker told Arab News that funds had dried up after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on US. “So many years have passed but people are afraid to give money to charity because they think FBI will go after them.”
Children and teenagers exuded an air of great happiness. “We not only get to miss school for two days, but also get to wear new clothes and get lots of money and gifts for Eid,” Ayesha a teenager said gleefully. Caterers and halal meat sellers did brisk business.
