It’s Eid al-Fitr!
Travelling back in time, we are shaking hands, hugging one another in glowing attires and saying happy Eid al-Fitr 🙂
But with Covid-19 in our midst today, people are being careful making sure it’s safe before shaking hands and hugging new faces.
It’s not entirely sad!Â
The uniting power of Eid al-Fitr is unshakable in Africa and across the world. As the Ramadan comes to an end, Africa with a large Muslim population, gathers to celebrate Eid al-Fitr while adhering to the Covid-19 protocols.
Hmm…Can you hear pans clattering?
The air in Africa is filled with delicious smells and hearts pulsating with joy.
In Mali and from Bamako resident, Aboubacar Ouattara throws light on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the true spirit behind this spiritual holiday:
“It is an opportunity for us to ask forgiveness of others and to forgive them. And then as it is a feast, there is food and drink everywhere. People eat everywhere; you go to a friend’s house and you eat there; it’s a communion feast,” he said.
In some areas, families and friends meet up but in smaller amounts. In another resident, Sqdiou Samake says:
“With the coronavirus pandemic, people were a bit afraid to go out and meet up. In previous years, people used to meet up with everything, but this year it has discouraged us a bit.”
Despite the global economy being affected by the pandemic, families are making the best of the moment with what they can afford. Happiness is never expensive!
“We didn’t get to do everything we wanted to do, but that doesn’t take away from the morale and job satisfaction, and the party is still great despite that,” Aboubacar Ouattara shared more.
It’s time to return to the celebration. Don’t miss out!
Wash your hands. Go merry. Happy Eid al-Fitr!
By Elijah Christopher
Elijah Christopher is a journalist at A New Touch Of Africa, is also a creative writer, a poet, and an IT enthusiast. He contributed to the collaborative poem written in celebration of Edwin Morgan Centenary, the first Glasgow poet laureate and Scottish national poet from the University of Glasgow. He loves meeting people and learning about new places, cultures, events, and lifestyles.
