Eid ul-Fitr, also known as “Labarang”, is a significant Islamic festival celebrated worldwide that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In this period Muslims focused on intense spiritual discipline that included abstaining from food and drinks from dawn to sunset, acting in the most virtuous ways possible, spreading kindness, and participating in acts of generosity.
These typically consist of providing the poor and needy with nutrition, helping others who require assistance and/or just smiling with another person, as this is also regarded as a form of charity as taught to Muslims by the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Of note, the holy Qur’an’s first verses were also revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) during Ramadan. The rest of the Qur’an was revealed to him, in piecemeal fashion, over the course of the rest of his life (23 years). It is holy and contains guidance for all humanity. This ranges from individual-type of devotion to find contentment and tranquillity, to forms of worship, how to interact with others, to various laws governing society (eg business transactions, inheritance) and so on. Therefore, Islam is a complete way of life that encompasses all aspects of being, compared to the traditional definition of religion, that it is practised only at certain times and/or provides guidance only on acts of worship.
In the greater Cape this festival holds significance for the Muslim community, as its celebration reflects the region’s unique cultural diversity and religious tolerance. Muslims were originally brought to the Cape region as political exiles by the Dutch colonists and were the first political prisoners held at Robben Island. In the Cape luminaries such as Shaykh Yusuf of Macassar (from Indonesia) were banished to modern-day Faure area (near Strand, Western Cape) in the 17th century. However, this strategy did not work as Islam rapidly spread (especially among the oppressed slaves) and subsequently became an integral feature of our regional landscape and cultural matrix.
Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by Muslims of all backgrounds and nationalities residing in the Paarl area. The festive spirit of Eid ul-Fitr is evident in the colourful decorations, finest attire and the warm greetings exchanged among Muslims.
Islam places a great emphasis on community and equality of all and hence such greetings are usually in the form of a warm embrace with words such as “Eid Mubarak’’ or “Slamat’’ (wishing a blessed Eid to one another) being lovingly uttered.
While Muslims celebrate such special occasions with joy and happiness, all such activities are done with a sense of dignity, humility, moderation, and soberness. “Labarang” is certainly a time for socialising and strengthening community bonds, and families and friends usually come together to share delicious meals, and exchange gifts/money with the younger ones. The poor are not left behind, as some Muslims in Paarl cook numerous pots of food the night before the celebration and then distribute this widely to the poor (of all denominations) in the Drakenstein region on the morning of Eid. In addition, those who can afford it are required to pay zakat al-fitr (a compulsory stipend) circulated to poor Muslims so they are also able to enjoy this special day.
