ALKHOBAR, 19 November 2004 — Eid Al-Fitr is the celebration of the completion of the month of fasting. Decades ago, it was an occasion to don one’s best clothes, visit family and friends and share in God’s bounty at the table. In Saudi Arabia in the 1960’s and 70’s most children received a riyal or two as “Eideyah” on the morning of Eid. A gift of ten riyals was a major windfall.
Now, many youngsters would scoff at such an Eideyah. Middle class Saudi children often start Eid morning with SR500 from their fathers. That cash is added to by relatives who generally hand out at least SR50 to each niece and nephew. A quick survey of Saudis showed children as young as six years old were collecting SR1,000 as Eideyah. Older children often received more — a few teenagers mentioned that they had been given Eideyah totaling over SR2,000.
Lately though, in a small number of families, there has been a re-examining of priorities. Parents concerned with the lessons being learned by their youngsters at Eid have begun to cut back on the cash or offer gifts instead.
“In our family we buy our children presents and we also take presents to the orphanage for Eid,” said Yasmeen Husain. “Eid is supposed to be about seeing your family, spending time with them and appreciating an abundance of food after Ramadan’s fasting. It’s also supposed to be about being at peace with your friends and loved ones. In a way, Eid in Saudi Arabia has become like Christmas where everyone is just buying and buying. I gave the children a present each and asked my parents not to give them more than 2 gifts a piece.”
Such an excellent sentiment for the holiday! But what did the Husain children think about their Eid?
“I wish we’d got cash instead of presents,” said 10-year-old Geena. “I got a doll as a present but I would have bought an electric guitar if I’d been given cash. Cash is better than presents because I could buy what I wanted. I think SR100 is a reasonable amount to receive as an Eideyah.”
Her brother, Alex, eight years old, disagreed. First, he said that SR200 was enough for an Eideyah but then he changed his mind deciding that at least SR1,000 should be given. He explained that large sums are necessary to buy things such as jeeps.
With a laugh Husain commented that the children still had “a lot of growing up to do.” The Husain family has a strong tradition of family activities at the holiday. Geena said that they had spent a lot of time at their grandmother’s house this Eid. They enjoyed sitting out in the big tent that had been pitched in their grandmother’s backyard. Their uncle came from California to spend the holiday and Geena found that to be a “big treat.”
By the end of the conversation, a more mature side of Geena’s personality asserted itself and she remarked, “Actually, money is to be earned. Cash is not a toy and we shouldn’t be taught to throw it.” Wise words.
Husain may have thought that Eid resembled Christmas more and more, but Adelaida Martinez, a Filipina working as a housemaid for a Saudi family disagreed.
“Eid is not like Christmas at all,” she asserted. “Christmas for me has a definite religious aspect. Families spend a lot of time together at Christmas. It’s not about going out and constantly looking for enjoyment. In fact in the Philippines most businesses are closed on Christmas Day.”
She emphasized that she did not want to seem negative about Eid in Saudi Arabia. Martinez flew to Alkhobar from Jeddah with the family she serves. Her employer gave her $200 and a cell phone as gifts for Eid and she is happy and grateful.
“I’ve had a nice time during Eid,” she said, “but it isn’t Christmas and I’m sorry that I don’t get to celebrate my own holiday here in Saudi Arabia.”
This Eid was a disappointment for another family, too. Visiting Alkhobar from Bahrain, Om Hashim explained that individuals from other countries who were currently spending the Eid in Bahrain had made the malls, restaurants and amusement centers there unbearable.
“Privately, the people here might have the same thoughts as those visiting in Bahrain,” she said. “But at least in public in Saudi Arabia they are forced to have some manners. Here at Alrashid Mall there is security and certain standards and everyone must behave with at least minimum dignity.”
Om Hashim has one son and three daughters and she gave each child SR50 on Eid morning.
“I don’t like to be extravagant,” she emphasized. “Money is not what Eid is all about. To be honest, this year Eid is very dull for me. I really didn’t want to go out anywhere because I was so depressed. Look at the international situation for Muslims. Look at the all the massacres and humiliation taking place in Iraq and Palestine. I believe it would be selfish of me to be celebrating when so many Muslims have no joy.”
She went on to point out that Muslims are supposed to act as one body and that if any part of that body is in misery than the rest of the body is supposed to be there for support.
“But so many of us Muslims have forgotten what it means to be a Muslim,” Om Hashim said. “Eid has become a commercial thing with no spiritual meaning.”
Her daughter Mariam, 13 years old, was more interested in getting whatever joy she could from the moment.
“I like Eid. It’s nice. We have new clothes. We go to eat lunch at my grandfather’s house. There are about forty of us there. So Eid day is a lot of fun,” the girl said.
Isn’t she concerned about the issues her mother mentioned?
“I don’t watch the news. It’s boring and depressive,” Mariam said. “I am looking to my future and I want to be an engineer. These political problems have gone on too long and I want them to be solved. I don’t want to have to cope with them when I’m an adult.”
While Om Hashim was unhappy this Eid over the Palestinian situation, a Palestinian who was with his boys at Alrashid Mall’s amusement center, took a pragmatic view.
“I’ve put all my worries aside for the moment and come to Alkhobar from Riyadh to allow my family to have an enjoyable holiday,” said Issam Abourakabe. “I have two boys, eight years old and six years old. I gave them SR100 each for Eid and I thought that was all right. I believe it’s okay to give children cash within reason. It’s a part of the holiday.”
Abourakabe was pleased that more children’s entertainment is available for Eid. He thinks this is important to help families enjoy the holiday together. Unfortunately, he wasn’t totally delighted with his Eid experience in Alkhobar.
“The greedy individuals this year are not the children. It is the owners of the hotels, resorts and furnished apartments,” he said. “These places are charging double or triple their normal rates. The situation is just not reasonable. If you’re looking for greed this Eid, the businessmen are the greedy ones.”
