'Celebrating Eid is about unity and family,' say Bradford Muslims
Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr with food, family and reflection.In Bradford, where nearly a third of the district's population is Muslim, worshippers gathered at the city's Central Mosque to pray before festivities began.Eid al-Fitr is the "festival of breaking the fast", taking place the day after the new moon is seen at the end of the month of Ramadan.And this year, for the first time on UK terrestrial TV, Eid prayers were broadcast live from Bradford.
Bradford Central Mosque has been a place of community and worship for more than four decades."It's a lot easier now," said Shafiq Janjua, 50, who has lived in Bradford for around 30 years after moving from Pakistan."It's easier to access your faith centres."We've come a long way."He added that different faiths in Bradford "all live in peace and harmony" and that Eid "gives the message of unity and it's all about family and putting on calories".In a similarly festive mood was Farhad Ali, 23, who said: "We always look forward to it every year."The kids love it because they get money."It's like Asian Christmas."But reflecting on life is still important."Straight after the Eid prayer we're going to go to the graveyard and visit the ones who have sadly left us and then go home and enjoy some food," he said.
It was a predominately male presence, with lots of father-son duos like Muhemmad Khalil and Muhemmad Naafees.Referencing the TV broadcast, 16-year-old Naafees said: "It's good to see that we're being represented."His dad, 48, added: "I think it should have been done earlier than this moment but I think it's a very good thing."Also with his son was Sakeb Zahoor, 55, who said: "Last night was our meal to mark the end of our fasting period."It was nice not to have to get up early in the morning and have that lie-in but yet to come here and see so many people all come together to celebrate this occasion."His son Huzaifah Sakeb, 20, was particularly pleased his home city would be on show in living rooms across the country. "It's good to see, especially a place like Bradford which isn't on TV that much, it get recognised for Eid," he said.
Some women were at the service, although there was a separate room for them. Among them was Saima Mahboob, who usually prays at home but who came for the service for the first time."I'm so happy," she told the BBC."I really enjoyed it and it was a really beautiful occasion to meet other sisters."Inside the service, led by Shaykh Syed Ahsan, worshippers were told to think about those less fortunate than themselves.Zakat al Fitr, also known as Fitrana, is the practice of making a small donation to help feed the less fortunate before the end of Ramadan."Every small act of kindness contributes to a better world," Shaykh Ahsan told the congregation.Many Muslims have been collecting and sending money to help affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.Others were collecting money for the mosque itself.As the service concluded, people left the mosque reflecting on Shaykh Ahsan's words."If after Ramadan, we return to our old habits without any improvement, then we have missed its true purpose," he said."But if we carry these lessons forwards, if we emerge from this blessed month as better individuals, then we have truly succeeded."The BBC is also broadcasting a special show at 22:40 BST from Bradford on BBC One.Celebrity Eid will bring together food and fun with a host of well-known guests.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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