"During Eid al-Fitr, our small town comes to life. Those who live in large cities and work there go back home to celebrate with their families. Trains become crowded; people join together to find a passing car. On the days of the holiday, communication doesn't end, because there are so many acquaintances and friends you haven't seen for months or even years. In the capital, shops close their doors, construction work stops, and wealthy families have to rely on themselves as maids, nannies and drivers leave for the villages to spend the holidays there".
"In the Comoros, Eid al-Fitr is associated with sports competitions, in particular, freestyle wrestling. With the arrival of the holiday, competitions are held between wrestlers from different regions for the Champion Cup in freestyle wrestling. These competitions take place during all three holidays and attract both men and women."
"In Turkey, we associate Eid al-Fitr with sweets and chocolate. They can be seen in all stores and markets across the country. On the eve of the holiday, we buy a lot of sweets in order to distribute them to children, who, according to tradition, visit all their neighbors and in return receive sweets and sometimes a few liras. During the holiday, we like to visit outdoor areas and barbecue places in parks".
"In my city, Lucknow, people start congratulating each other via messengers, then run out of their homes to go shopping. Markets are packed; you can see fireworks. Kitchens come to life; women prepare dishes for guests and the poor. Men equip and decorate houses. Outside the mosque, people gather at a flea market and buy balloons for children, dates, and other sweets for the poor to help and support them.
After coming home, women are greeted with festive dishes: sweet and salty. Sivayan is traditionally served as sweet noodles with milk and fruit.
Then, we exchange gifts. Children even compete to see who gets the most gifts. Our family tries to share the holiday not only among themselves, but we also invite neighbors, friends, and relatives to the table. When everyone leaves, the closest ones stay at the table. We eat, we talk, and we laugh. Even though everyone is usually tired, the excitement doesn’t let anyone relax".
"In the Comoros, Eid al-Fitr is associated with sports competitions, in particular, freestyle wrestling. With the arrival of the holiday, competitions are held between wrestlers from different regions for the Champion Cup in freestyle wrestling. These competitions take place during all three holidays and attract both men and women."
"In Turkey, we associate Eid al-Fitr with sweets and chocolate. They can be seen in all stores and markets across the country. On the eve of the holiday, we buy a lot of sweets in order to distribute them to children, who, according to tradition, visit all their neighbors and in return receive sweets and sometimes a few liras. During the holiday, we like to visit outdoor areas and barbecue places in parks".
"In my city, Lucknow, people start congratulating each other via messengers, then run out of their homes to go shopping. Markets are packed; you can see fireworks. Kitchens come to life; women prepare dishes for guests and the poor. Men equip and decorate houses. Outside the mosque, people gather at a flea market and buy balloons for children, dates, and other sweets for the poor to help and support them.
After coming home, women are greeted with festive dishes: sweet and salty. Sivayan is traditionally served as sweet noodles with milk and fruit.
Then, we exchange gifts. Children even compete to see who gets the most gifts. Our family tries to share the holiday not only among themselves, but we also invite neighbors, friends, and relatives to the table. When everyone leaves, the closest ones stay at the table. We eat, we talk, and we laugh. Even though everyone is usually tired, the excitement doesn’t let anyone relax".
