Caps off to you all graduating this week! Your proud strikes across the convocation stage reflect years of hard work. Well done.
I am saving my story of fulfilment for the Fall 2024 convocation. Instead, I will share with you my thoughts about Eid al-Adha.
Yesterday morning, I spent about an hour on the phone, video calling family in my country. I joined over 30 people virtually as they were feasting on meat dishes and our local flatbread with walnuts and poppy seeds.
Our conversations were jovial. Some family members jokingly reprimanded me for not sporting my bayramlik, the special clothes you wear on holidays. One or two were touting their knowledge by telling others in the room that we don’t celebrate Eid al-Adha in America. Well, they got the continent right. I was happy to repeat that Canada is one of the three countries in North America, just not the one they had in mind. My favourite, and now very old, uncle welcomed me as if I were in the room. It was a very emotional moment for me.
Eid al-Adha is one of the two holidays that Muslims celebrate. It is four days and with the Eve, you have four and a half days of quality time with family and friends. Here is a of photos featuring how Muslims celebrate the festival.
I've just found out that nearly 5% of Canadians identify as Muslims. If you are one, Eid Mubarak. Perhaps, you have a neighbour or a friend who celebrates and they have invited you over for a nice meal. I hope you will reciprocate their generosity.
I co-hosted a dinner party for six yesterday. I am proud that my two British Canadian friends enjoyed our get together.
When I was a kid, Eid al-Adha was my favourite time of the year. It meant shopping for new clothes and, sometimes, a pair of shoes. I would fold my new outfits and hide them under my pillow until the Eid.
I like the Eid for other reasons now. Younger generations visit older family members and older persons welcome the visitors with delicious food. The wealthy distribute meat, a.k.a. Qurbani, to the poor in their neighbourhood and village. They may even donate to those living in other countries through charities. I also enjoy Eid al-Adha because it encourages people to put their disputes aside and make up with one other. The Eid should also help resolve interethnic and interreligious disagreements, my mind drifts.
Ever wondered why Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha? The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. What a huge offering he was asked to make! God shows mercy and sends a ram, so would my uncle tell us kids. His nickname, Memet Dervish, references his devotion to God’s path and mellow attitude. I loved sitting on his lap and hearing his religious tales when I was about six or seven.
Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder of sacrifice, gratitude, and caring for others. I am sitting under a maple tree in the park near my place now and praying silently. May compassion fill everyone’s heart.
Happy Eid al-Adha, everyone. I am leaving you with the image of mouth-watering lamb kebab from my hometown.