Festival of ‘solidarity and peace’: Eid al-Fitr in the Goulburn Valley

By Youssef Saudie

May 3, 2022

As the sun rose on Monday morning, Muslims in the Goulburn Valley woke up to Eid al-Fitr, the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’.

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It is a two-day celebration marking the end of Ramadan, where people have been fasting from dawn to dusk throughout April.

A day to celebrate: Imam Hysni Merja, president Reg Qemal and Imam Eljam Bardi stand together after the prayer. Photo by Youssef Saudie

At Shepparton’s Albanian Mosque, the festivities kicked off with prayers and khutbahs (sermons) lead by imams Hysni Merja and Eljam Bardi.

“We unite, we give to charity, forgive each other, and ask each other for forgiveness; it’s the Eid of solidarity and peace,” Imam Bardi said.

All smiles: Yasmin Abkar and Marym Ahmed. Photo by Youssef Saudie

He said it was a time to catch up with friends and families.

Some Muslims do not work over the holy days to celebrate.

As hundreds of Muslims in their best clothes exited the mosque, people hugged, shared platters of food and made tea – with some women wearing painted henna tattoos.

New to Shepparton: Ahmed Hashem and Somia Shosha are spending their first Eid al-Fitr in Shepparton. Photo by Youssef Saudie

For Ahmed Hashem, it was his first time celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Shepparton with his family.

With Egyptian heritage, the family emigrated from the UAE in January this year and did not expect to find such a large Muslim community.

“We came here recently and thought there would be less families ... It means a lot for me because we are happy that we see the community of Muslims,” he said.

“We are gathering all together in a small city … This mosque is a grace from Allah (God).”

Time to eat: The congregation gathers around the table to enjoy morning tea together. Photo by Youssef Saudie

His partner, Somia Shosha, said the day meant “a lot of work with the kids”.

“Sweets, gifts, money and lots of balloons,” she said with a laugh.

Celebrating in style: Farah Shaikh and her friends add a splash of colour. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Farah Shaikh said it was important to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with the children.

“If I can get them happy and excited on this day and about the end of Ramadan that would make me happy, and today, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), they are,” she said.

Community effort: People eat morning tea together and serve one another. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Ms Shaikh sad it was also a time to connect with different Muslim communities, as many of her family were “far, far away”.

“The Urdu-speaking community, Arab community, all the other ones, we will go around visiting all the friends; we’re meeting everyone and going everywhere,” she said.

This is the last of four in the series by Youssef Saudie exploring mosques in the Goulburn Valley during Ramadan. Read more from this series online. You can contact him at youssef.saudie@mmg.com.au