The essence of Eid: When we become one

 It is Eid Al-Udha  on Tuesday 15^th October 2013. For the 4^th year I am having it here in the UK. The

weird lonely feeling of being away from home. Eid has always been associated with joy, happiness and

family gatherings for me. Those memories of Eid home wander around un-invited to me. Eid with its full joy, 

happiness and fun. Memories of when the whole house is revamped, cleaned and where everyone 

participates in cleaning, tidying, etc. Being the tallest in the house, the chore of fitting the curtain was the one 

that is always kept for me.  In fact most of my friends have the same job in Eid.  

Memories of the Eid day. Waking up early, putting on the clean and ironed cloth- prepared the night

before- and spreading Eid greetings to family before heading to prayer. After the prayer, occurs the

most fascinating and amazing thing I have experienced in my life. People hugging each other at

random. Wishing each other a happy Eid and great year ahead, wishes that Allah grants them the best. This 

image in my head is what I look forward to every Eid. How much more hugs can I give to

strangers ! and how warm can I make those wishes to be!. It is a concept that I really enjoy.

But is Eid all about celebrating with your families? Is Eid joy within my family more that Eid joy when

sharing with others? What about others.  Eid makes me realize that happiness is a distributed phenomenon. 

Using mathematical terms, It is additive, associative and conductive.  Additive in the sense that the more

people you celebrate with the better. Associative as in being a universal celebration and conductive

in the wishes and the warm feelings coming from the heart. The purity of those wishes are the true essence of 

Eid as they are going to someone that we don't know. When the celebration is all about others, about 

sharing food giving gifts and giving charity. Most importantly in Eid Al-adha is sacrificing a sheep and 

distributing meat to the poor people.

 My soul punishes me when I enjoy Eid and I realize some can’t. Some

are in wars, famine, and atrocities. Some kids don’t get to have Eid gifts. Some don’t get to go out to Eid 

gatherings and share Eid joy. When Eid comes when many families in Sudan are crying and

screaming to the loss of their loved ones in the latest government crackdown on peaceful protests. Others 

spent it with their sons and daughters detailed. There is a  moral obligation to remember their sufferings 

especially when we are celebrating. There is dire need to visit them and console their grievances.

How one has to do a bit more to ensure that people has experiences the essence of the Eid?. Not just 

because it is part of Islam, but because it is our duty in humanity.