By AMOS MATHEW, Kaduna
Founder Kaduna International Film Festival, Kashim I. Audu has felicitated with Muslim faithful on Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
He expressed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to our correspondent on Saturday May 23, 2020.
“I want to begin by congratulating Nigerians most especially Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid festivity.
“The entire month of Ramadan is marked by fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, as it’s the Islamic belief.
“The festivities occur in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the annual ceremony is considered as one of the five pillars of Islam. Eid begins only after the crescent moon is sighted.
“This year, Eid is expected to fall on May 23 but since the moon was not sighted on this day most countries now declared 24th May 2020 as the date for the celebration.
“As we celebrate this day I urge us to still be hopeful during this trying times of the pandemic and observe all the guidelines of WHO, NCDC and the government officials for us to be alive to see many more Festivities ahead.
“Importance and significance of Eid
Eid is a way of paying respect and thanking Allah for giving one strength and endurance to observe the month-long fast. Eid ul-Fitr falls on the first day of the month of shawwal, which is the only day in that month when Muslims do not need to fast.
“With a unique salat (Islamic prayer) comprising of two rakats (units), it is usually offered in an open field. It is to be performed only in a congregation (jama’at) and has six takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying “Allahu Akbar” which means “God is the greatest”); three in the beginning of the first raka and the remaining three before ruku in the second raka’ah. It is said that Muslims are expected to continue fasting till the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat al-Fitr before offering the prayers for Eid.
“While the festival is marked by family and friends visits, with the lockdown restrictions in place, Eid this year is expected to be low-key amid social distancing norms and praying at home.
“I want to urge all Muslim Ummah at this time to look inward forgive one another, love more, be kind, patience and have a soft heart of reconciliation in general turn away from negative behavior as “Love” is the ultimate.
“What happens on the day of Eid?
Muslims wake up early in the morning, chant their salat ul-fajr (daily prayers), take a bath, wear new clothes and put ittar (perfume). It is a custom to eat a hearty breakfast before people perform the special congregational prayers. Many Muslims also recite the takbir, which is the declaration of faith, on their way to the prayer ground and take part in zakat al-fitr (charitable contributions).
“I wish all Muslim faithful a happy Sallah 2020 Celebration
