RAMADAN TO END TODAY MUSLIMS CELEBRATE FAST-BREAKING, FAMILY HOLIDAY EID UL-FITR.Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer Ramadan, the holiest time of the calendar for Muslims, ends today, with the beginning of Eid ul-Fitr Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. , a fast-breaking holiday of communal prayer and celebrations with families. Some say it is the equivalent of Christmas. ``It is a time of festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. ,'' said Mohammad Qureshi, an administrator with the Islamic Center of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . ``It's a religious, spiritual celebration.'' Ramadan is one of the months of the Islamic lunar calendar Noun 1. lunar calendar - a calendar based on lunar cycles calendar - a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year , so it can occur at different times of the year. This year it began Dec. 9. During the holiday, Muslims keep a strict fast, no eating or drinking, between sunset and sunrise. Fasting for Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: أركان الإسلام) is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. and among the highest commandments by Allah to Muslims. The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ``ramz'' which is loosely translated into ``to burn.'' It is also known as ``the month of forgiveness.'' As thousands of Muslims from around the world gather today for Eid festivities, traditions abound. During prayers, worshipers are divided into groups of men and women. Most women and girls wear shalvar kamises - straight dresses over matching pants - made of silken, gem-colored fabrics. They also wear gold jewelry and painted mendhi, or henna designs, on their palms. Families gather at homes during the holiday, where coffee and tea are served. In Middle Eastern homes, special meals cooked in brimming pots include spiced roasted chicken, kebab beef patties, baked bread and rice. At the end of the day, adults exchange greetings of ``Eid mubarak Eid mubarak (Persian/Urdu: عید مبارک) (Arabic: عيد مبارك) is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. ,'' or ``blessed Eid,'' and hugs as children wait for toys, dollar bills and candy. Mahmood Khan, a Canoga Park resident for 13 years, looks forward to gathering the family and going to the festivities at a Granada Hills mosque. ``The first thing we do is shower, get dressed Verb 1. get dressed - put on clothes; "we had to dress quickly"; "dress the patient"; "Can the child dress by herself?" dress primp, preen, dress, plume - dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when going to the opera" real nice and then go to the mosque in Granada Hills at 8 a.m.,'' said the grocery clerk. ``We'll pray, meet family members and friends. We keep the fast so we have to celebrate. It's like how people celebrate Christmas or New Year's. It's a blessed day.'' |
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