In
most churches a bitter drink prepared from leaves,
vinegar, etc. for everyone to taste after the
service, Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and
wailing. A total silence reigns in the church
from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the
church is full, to observe the Easter Vigil. In
the gloom, which envelops the church, new fire
is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle
is then consecrated and from it many candles are
lighted indicating the resurrection. Bells
peal, music fills the air and light floods the
hall. Halleluiah is the joyous word of Easter
wish. Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebration
is rather spiritual and inward rather than social
showy. There will be a grand dinner at homes
and visits of relatives.
| Ramadan |
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Ramadan
is the ninth month of the lunar year.
Legend says that God conveyed the message
of Quran to Hazrat Mohammad through
Gabriel in the days of Ramzan. All through
the month of Ramzan the devout Muslims
strictly indergo fasting. Purification
of the body and soul is the main aim
of this observance. They take food only
before sunrise and after sunset. The
morning "Sehri", would generally
be cooked in milk, and tea or water.
Then the call for prayer is heard from
the mosques, and the children and men
go to their mosques to offer "Namaz".
Women stay at their houses and recite
the Koran. But the fasting during the
days of Ramzan does not affect the daily
routine of the Muslims and they go on
with their daily chores. |
As
the sun sets, the call for the Maghrib
prayers are heard from the mosques and
the fast is broken. It is called "Iftar".
The fast is broken sipping water, a
few dates and some fruits. The food
eaten as Iftar is called Iftari and
special delicacies like fried cornflower,
boiled grams and lentils, meat kebabs
and sweet meats are taken. Thus the
29 or 30 days of the month of Ramzan
pass and the sighting of the new moon
brings glad tidings of Eid-ul-fitr and
the end of the month of Ramzan. |
| Eid-Ul-Fitr |
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Eid-ul-fitr
means the joy at the end of the days
of fasting. This is the day next after
the appearance of first crescent. Wrought
on happioness, Muslims wear their best
attires. The Eid prayers are said between
the early morning and the noon prayers.
After the prayer, they greet each other
saying: Eid Mubarak!.
This festival is particularly favorite
of children. On this day, parents give
special allowance called "Eidee"
to their children for buying toys of
their choice. Special delicacies are
prepared. They include "Seviyan",
vermicelli's sweet preparation, "Sheer
Korma, and other savoury dishes. |
| Eid-Ul-Zuha |
It
is one of the grandest festivals of
the Muslims and it is also called Bakrid.
It falls on the 10th day of the Muslim
month of Dul- Hajju.
Allah in a dream, demanded Hazrat
Ibrahim to sacrifice that which
is the dearest to him. So, he decided
to offer his son to God. With the permission
of his family blindfolded his son and
chopped his head with his sword. To
his surprise, before the sword could
strike, a ram was replaced his son.
This is the legend behind the festival.
So on this day a ram or a goat or a
camel is sacrificed and distributed
among the near and dear ones. |
This
festival is about two months and nine
days after Eid-ul-Fitr.
On this occasion Muslims who can afford
go on a pilgrimage go to Mecca
and the trip is called
"Hajj". On
this day others go to the mosque and
offer prayers. Charities are practiced
on this day. |
| Milad-Ul-Nabi |
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This festival
commemorates the birthday of Hazrat
Mohammad and it falls on the 12th day
of Rabi-ul-Awwal month. Prophet Mohammad
was born in 571 A.D on April 12th, in
Mecca in Arabia. On the day of Milad,
the Prophet's teachings are repeated,
the Quran is read and religious discourses
are conducted in the mosques. The Muslims
invite their friends and relatives for
a grand feast on this day. |
| Muharram |
This
is the Muslim festival of mourning.
Muharram is observed in the first month
of the Hijri year. The Shia community
in particular celebrates this festival
with great enthusiasm. They fast, offer
prayers, recite verses from Quran and
sing elegies in homage to the martyrs
during the celebrations. On the final
day, Tajjas are taken out in grand processions,
accompanied by brass brands and bagpipes
playing sad tunes. The Tajjas represent
the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.
The processions terminate at Karbala
where the Tajjas are ceremoniously buried.
Hazrat Hussain was the second son of
Fatimah, the prophet Mohammad's daughter. |
|
The celebration of
grief called "Majlis-e-Shoora"
is observed with great passion at Lucknow,
the stronghold of the Shia community
and also at Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
After the burial of the tajjas, they
go to their places and offer money,
etc. to the poor. They observe this
Martyr's day in peace and silence. Muharram
is in fact a sort of ceremony for showing
gratitude to the departed souls who
fought so bravely for preserving their
faith. |
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