Eid Al-Adha is the second Muslim holiday which follows Eid al-Fitr, and last week Muslims around the world welcomed the holiday! Marking the end of Hajj, Eid al-Adha commemorates the story of the Prophet Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son for God, and by demonstrating such devotion to God, God provided him with a sheep to sacrifice instead. Like most holidays celebrated by people of different faiths around the world, Eid Al-Adha is a holiday where memories for Muslims of all ages who celebrate it and its rituals are created.
When re-experiencing these Eid rituals at an older age, most of us nostalgically think to ourselves: “But when I was ten, I used to….” Like many things over the years, the Eid celebration has changed. So, if you are in your twenties, from the Middle East, and you have just finished celebrating Eid Al-Adha, here are four things you’ll recognize that have changed since you were 10:
- Technology: Remember the phone calls you’d get (and sometimes try to avoid) when you were younger from your Aunts and Uncles living on the other side of the world that had a lot of pauses, distant voices repeating “Hello? Can you hear me?” and cut-off conversations? Well, today, with apps such as Viber and Whatsapp, we embrace such calls with open arms and no longer have to go through the agony!
Photo Credit: chesterfieldtimebank.org
- Ma’mool: No matter what age you are, whether you’re 10 or in your 20s, you can’t shy away from eating ma’mool at your own house and at almost every house you go to. But now that you’re all grown up, chances are you’re stuck in helping making it too.
- Eid clothes: Everyone loves new clothes, and age doesn’t matter. Though the difference now is that your parents probably scorne you to get out of your pajamas in your 20s. Nevertheless, you still buy a new outfit every Eid.
- Coffee: When you were younger, Arabic coffee was for the adults. And your were probably told that if you drank it you somehow will grow a mustache! Now that you’re 20 or so, you can drink it…make it…and serve it, without a worry of that mustache growing 🙂
If you have spent this Eid on your smartphone, brewing coffee for guests, or complaining from mild back pain after spending the night making ma’mool, then, congratulations! You’re all grown up, and Eid Al-Adha has taken on a whole new meaning for you.
We hope you had a great Eid! Don’t forget to share the Baraka and leave us a smile 🙂
