Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Wednesday 13°CThursday 13°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityEntertainmentNews

Eid festival in Derry a ‘celebration for everyone’

written by cassoscoop May 3, 2022
ShareTweet

A celebration of the Islamic festival Eid al-Fitr at a Derry community centre was an opportunity to bring people together, organisers have said.

Eid, as it is more commonly known, is one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic calendar.

Eid takes place at the end of Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting.

The events at Pilot’s Row Community Centre on Monday included prayers, a shared meal with friends and family, as well as fun games for young children.

Dr Zahid Balhi, who is from the North West Islamic Association, told BBC Radio Foyle it is a very special occasion for those celebrating in the area and across the globe.

“The month of fasting finished last night (Sunday), and it means the first day after the month of Ramadan is the Eid festival,” he said.

“It is very much a celebration day for everybody in the Muslim world.”

Fasting in Ramadan is considered to be an act of worship, which enables Muslims to feel closer to God and strengthen their spiritual health and self-discipline.

Like the beginning of Ramadan, Eid begins with the first sighting of the new moon.

Dr Zahid Balhi said there is a range of events taking place throughout the day, and said it will be an opportunity for friends and family to come and celebrate together.

“The Muslim community in the city comes from about 10 to 12 different countries so everybody has their own cultures and ways of celebrating.

“There will be lots of different and authentic dishes being cooked in every household so people will be distributing and sharing those between them.

“In the evening there will be a family gathering and a one-dish party where someone from each household will bring a signature dish of their choice and we will all come together and have a fun time.”

Dr Zahid Balhi said it was the first time in two years that many people in their community will all be in the same place together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This celebration is after two years where people have been confined because of Covid.

“We could not actually come together last year or the year before to celebrate the Eid gathering,” he explained.

One of the five pillars of Islam is giving to charity, or Zakat.

At Eid, there is a specific type of charitable giving called Zakat al-Fitr, which can take place at the end of Ramadan.

However, this can also be given out in advance so those in need can also join in the celebration of Eid.

Dr Zahid said the cost of living crisis has affected many families across Northern Ireland and he believed the Eid festival provided a chance to support those who were experiencing difficult times.

“It will be a good opportunity for people to help each other and that is one of the main messages during the month of Ramadan.

“We should help those people who are struggling,” he said.

Eid festival in Derry a ‘celebration for everyone’ was last modified: May 3rd, 2022 by cassoscoop

Tags:
community centreDerry CityDr Zahid BalhiEid festival in Derry a 'celebration for everyone'Islamic festival Eid al-FitrNORTH WEST ISLAMIC ASSOCIATIONPILOT'S ROWRamadanZakat al-Fitr
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Bloody Sunday play coming to Waterside Theatre

1 hour ago

Kevin Doherty must move to Republic to...

6 hours ago

‘Shameful failure to support older people through...

8 hours ago

Johnny McDaid says Courteney Cox can’t understand...

8 hours ago

US Congressman Richie Neal visits Derry city

9 hours ago

Eastwood: Gray report should end Johnson’s administration

10 hours ago

Liverpool fan’s anxious passport wait for Champions...

10 hours ago

Grave blessings to take place next month

13 hours ago

Two males arrested over petrol bomb attack...

14 hours ago

Eastwood slams easyjet over last-minute flight cancellation

14 hours ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Glenapp Castle: Only a few miles from home but a million miles away

    December 20, 2021
  • DD Travel Feature: The Unsung Shores of Portugal

    November 12, 2021
  • Derry meeting led young Donegal woman to high profile murder

    July 16, 2021
  • DD Travel: Living like a local in Lixouri

    December 17, 2020
  • DD Travel: Kefalonia and her southern shores

    November 29, 2020

Courts

  • Jim McKeever found guilty of child sex abuse offences

    May 24, 2022
  • L of a lesson! Derry driver caught TWICE unaccompanied banned

    May 23, 2022
  • Co Derry drunk driver jailed for at least 15 years in USA

    May 21, 2022
  • Ninth man arrested over Derry Easter commemoration parade released

    May 20, 2022
  • Former Derry footballer caught with fake jerseys and ciggie haul

    May 20, 2022

Donegal Daily

  • Man who threatened shop assistant with knife jailed for 3 years

    1 hour ago
  • Child awarded €35k after ‘furniture fall’ at Donegal hotel

    8 hours ago
  • Former footballer caught with fake jerseys must move to Republic to avoid jail

    10 hours ago

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Derry Daily

© 2022 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


Back To Top

Posting....