Festival of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated at the Aud
Posted Apr 21, 2023 01:45:28 PM.
It was Eid at the Aud!
The holy month of Ramadan came to a close Thursday and hundreds from the local Muslim community were breaking their fast at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Friday.
A volunteer organizer of the event Mustafa Mohamad explained to CityNews 570 why Eid-ul-Fitr is always an event the Muslim community looks forward to.
“This is one of the biggest celebrations that we have throughout the year,” said Mohamad. “After a fasting period of 30 days, Muslims break their fast, they meet family, they wear new clothes, eat sweets and it’s just a joyous occasion.”
The day started off with an entire arena packed for prayer, then the people flooded outside to enjoy the food trucks and the activities. On another one of the ice pads, inflatable playgrounds were also set up while desks were placed all around the edges with different snacks. A group of young Muslim men said that’s the best part about Eid.
“We haven’t been eating in the morning for like 30 days, so getting home with the family and eating is the best thing for sure.”
However, a woman amidst the festival crowd had a different answer to that question.
“My favourite part is actually being together. There is this large community that you can go to and pray together. There is this festival so the kids can play together, see their friends and have fun. So this is huge.”
COVID-19 affected this celebration for a few years. Eid returned to the Aud last year after a two-year hiatus. A Muslim man named Faisal agreed that it’s the best when the people can meet up.
“There’s nothing like it. A couple of years with the COVID, we couldn’t do this, but everybody is here with no [restrictions], everybody is sitting beside each other, praying, enjoying their time with each other.”
Faisal also wanted to send Waterloo Region his gratitude for welcoming the Muslim community with open arms.
“I just want to thank everybody showing respect. Even not in the Muslim community, they are showing respect and accepting us and making us feel like home and we appreciate that.”
The first prayer began at 8 a.m., and the festival rounded out the day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The celebration of Eid is in full swing at the Aud today.@CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/Wvbz2zKWQz
— Bradley Kraemer (@BradKraemerJr) April 21, 2023
