Question
What is Eid?
Answer
Eid is a significant Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide, marked by two main events: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. These festivals are rich in cultural, religious, and social significance.
Eid al-Fitr
Celebration and tradition:
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a time for communal prayers, feasting, and giving to charity. The festival is evolving, especially among upper-middle-class Muslims in metropolitan areas, where globalisation and technology influence traditional practices (Waris, 2024).
Health considerations:
For individuals with diabetes, managing dietary restrictions during Eid al-Fitr can be challenging, as the festival involves consuming sweets and rich foods. Studies show that Saudi individuals with diabetes tend to adhere more strictly to their medication and monitoring routines compared to their Pakistani counterparts (Gazzaz et al., 2022).
Eid al-Adha
Significance and practices:
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It involves the ritual sacrifice of animals, with the meat distributed among family, friends, and the needy (Pebrinawati, Pambudi and Martoyo, 2024; Ahmed, 2020).
Cultural and social Impact:
The festival is a time for expressing Muslim identity through values like sacrifice, charity, and community solidarity. It also involves various communal activities, including religious recitations and social services (Pebrinawati, Pambudi and Martoyo, 2024; Ahmed, 2020).
Health and safety concerns:
The festival can lead to increased hospital admissions due to injuries from animal sacrifices, particularly on the first day of Eid al-Adha (Tapan et al., 2024).
Social and economic aspects
Consumer behaviour:
During Eid, there is a significant increase in the consumption of goods and services, influenced by social media interactions. This presents opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance product visibility and influence purchasing decisions (Purnomo, 2024).
Community and sports:
Historically, sports played a role in Eid celebrations, fostering unity and intercultural exchanges. Reintroducing sports into these festivals could enhance social cohesion in pluralistic societies (Ghous, Insaf and Ashath, 2024).
Summary
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, embodying values of charity, community, and faith. While modern influences and health considerations shape their celebration, these festivals continue to be a dynamic expression of cultural identity and religious devotion.
References
- Waris, A., 2024. Changing Nature of Culture and Tradition: Exploring the Celebration of the Festival of Eid amongst Upper-middle-class Muslims, in Metropolitan Cities. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i06.28899
- Pebrinawati, P., Pambudi, R., & Martoyo, M., 2024. Kolaborasi Karang Taruna dan Pemuda Hadroh dalam Menciptakan Suasana Idul Adha yang Islami dan Bermakna di Desa Rejosari, Lampung Utara. ASPIRASI : Publikasi Hasil Pengabdian dan Kegiatan Masyarakat. https://doi.org/10.61132/aspirasi.v2i6.1179
- Ahmed, A., 2020. Consuming Eid Al-Adha: Constructing and Expressing the Muslim Identity. Poligrafi. https://doi.org/10.35469/poligrafi.2020.228
- Gazzaz, Z., Baig, M., Kanpurwala, M., Jamil, T., Mojaddidi, M., & Murad, M., 2022. Eid-al-Fitr festivity and Ramadan fasting attitude among individuals with diabetes from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 12. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054902
- Tapan, M., Yaşar, B., Ergani, H., & Ceylan, S., 2024. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Wake of the Eid al-Adha: A Single-Centre, Five-Year Investigation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092704
- Purnomo, Y., 2024. Consumer Behaviour Analysis of MSME Products through Social Media Interaction during Eid al-Fitr Celebration. Journal of Contemporary Administration and Management (ADMAN). https://doi.org/10.61100/adman.v2i1.164
- Ghous, M., Insaf, M., & Ashath, M., 2024. The Role of Sports in Islamic Festivals and Its Relevance to Pluralistic Society: An Analysis from the Prophet Muhammed’s Tradition. Al-Arfa: Journal of Sharia, Islamic Economics and Law. https://doi.org/10.61166/arfa.v2i1.86
