Eid Mubarak To All Our Muslim Neighbors! [Photos]

Today, Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that begins at the new moon sighting and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Kensington and Ditmas Park neighbors are celebrating in style, with feasts, prayers, new clothes, and family parties. Be sure to wish your neighbors an Eid Mubarak (blessed celebration) when you see them today!

The morning after thousands celebrated Chand Raat on Coney Island Avenue, groups of families and friends were out on the streets on this stifling-hot Wednesday, in great spirits and eager to chat about their traditions.

“We eat dishes that are spicy, and some that are sweet,” “and as a special treat, the adults may give us money!” said Emrul, Nisar, Tanveer, and Tahsin (above) as they skipped along Beverley Road.

On Eid, men and women dress to the nines in new clothing, including bright and bejeweled hijabs, embroidered saris, kurta shalwar dresses, taqiyah (rounded skullcaps), and painted henna tattoos.

Eid is a celebration where families and friends feast, but its religious meaning is deeply felt in the community. “On the holiday we experience how poor people feel,” said Monirul Islam, pictured below with his family on Avenue C. “We live through the fast. Today is the day we celebrate after fasting for 30 days; we feast and spend time with family. We eat biryani, which is rice and meat. And sweet stuff too!”

Madina, pictured below with her daughter on Church Avenue, told me that today is special because “We pray, and we forgive. We have to remember about God, and respect each other. It’s like an Easter for us, we give kids sweets and see each other. We wish for peace in the world, for everyone. Life is short, and these kids have to have a good future, which includes a good social life.”

This morning, members of the Al-Tawheed Mosque on Church Avenue gathered for early morning, outdoor prayers at the Parade Grounds, with music echoing throughout the astroturf fields. “We prayed, then came home for sweets and coffee, conversation, cooking, and celebration with family,” said Madina.

Thank you to all our neighbors who posed for photos this morning, and if you’d like us to include your photos in our gallery, please email them to us at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com.