Arts & Culture

The end of Ramadan (and fasting) is celebrated by Eid-al-Fitr, a three day festival. One of my Muslim colleagues often brings in a box of delicious cookies, Egyptian kahk, and we end up talking about food, culture and sharing. She said at the end of Ramadan and fasting the appetite needs to be whetted again and special cookies and sweets are a great way to encourage that. 

Some common traditional greetings at this time include "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Eid) or "Eid Saeed" (Happy Eid). There are many variations though, as the Muslim community is spread along many cultures, countries and languages.

I share a workroom with a diverse bunch of staff so we also enjoy Christmas cookies, traditional Pączki (polish donuts) at the beginning of Lent and other secular treats. We eat a lot of food – not to mention chips.

If you or your kids are interested in learning about Ramadan or Eid-al-Fitr, Toronto Public Library has some great picture books including "It's Ramadan, Curious George":

As well as food, henna decoration is also very popular:

Henna stain to friend's hands is part of the three-day Islamic festival of Eid ul-Fitr. Toronto Star Archives photo 1997

The Library has many books on henna or mehndi which is common during this celebration (and many others too).

If you are interested in Middle Eastern or Muslim food more generally these titles may whet your appetite:

But the roots of Ramadan are religious and in addition to breaking fast, visiting family, getting new clothes, giving small gifts of money to children, eating sweets and the other things associated with Eid-al-Fitr one goes to mosque and gives Zakat (small alms giving to the poor). You may also enjoy this article from Al Jazeera by Egyptian writer Khaled Diab on Eid al-Fitr: Spiritual oasis or consumer paradise?

"Moslems celebrate end of Ramadan: Metro's Moslem community, which numbers over 100,000, celebrate Eid al-Fitr yesterday marking the end of the month of Ramadan, the holiest of Moslem celebrations. Religious ceremonies were held in several locations across Metro, including the International Centre in Mississauga, above, where thousands of the faithful bowed in prayer as part of the ancient tradition". Toronto Star Archives photo 1987.