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Aloha!
This week's issue features the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims around the world. The Eid takes place on the first day of the following month and celebrates the completion of the 30 days of fasting. On this day, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends. Eid is a day of great thanksgiving for Muslims -- an opportunity to show their gratitude for making it through the month of fasting and a chance to share their blessings with others.
In 2011, Ramadan began on August 1.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. But since the lunar calendar cycle does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shift slightly each year.
During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims engage in ritual fasting from sunup to sundown. This practice is one of the five pillars of Islam, and each evening, Muslims will break the fast at sundown with Iftar, a traditional meal often beginning with the eating of dates -- an homage to a practice of Muhammad.
We are delighted to bring to you a gilmpse of how the Ramadan month and the Eid is celebrated by Muslim societies in the Asia Pacific region.
Salam and welcome to Fall 2011!
Program Coordinators,
Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific
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Eid ul Fitr
in the Asia Pacific Region
India
In India, Muslims comprise the second largest community, after the Hindus, thus, Id ul Fitr is celebrated with great zeal and gusto by a lot of communities. The festival serves as a lively example of the communal harmony that India basks in. The spirit of the Eid is manifested in the harmony among people of different religions, sharing love and respect for each other. The traditional Eid greeting in India is "Eid Mubarak" (or blessed festival in English) followed with a formal embrace. Gifts such as new clothes and money are often given as tradition. Children offer respect to parents and elderly. This festival fiesta brings along a package of joy, conviviality and a sublime flavor of food.
More Indian Eid recipes here.
Maldives
In Maldives, as in other Muslim countries, the Eid can be considered the Islamic equivalent of Christmas. The day begins in the mosques during the wee hours of the morning where blessings and special prayers are provided. A unique feast of delectable dishes are prepared in every household and family members gather to celebrate together.
Wearing new garments also comes with words of "Eid Mubarak", or as a welcome to Eid. The evening is spent in music, dancing and other modes of entertainment, such as Boduberu, which is a traditional Maldivian mix of songs and dances for both men and women, all performed by beating drums.
While customs of celebrations have seen significant changes with time, some traditions such as Baibala, remains as an annual sport competition held as part of the Eid in Maldives.
Singapore: Hari Raya Puasa 2011
 In Singapore, Hari Raya Puasa is the most prominent of all Muslim and Malays festivals as it is a time for new clothes, decorated houses and exchange of invitations between friends and relatives. Hence, it is fitting that Hari Raya is Malay for the "grand day" or "celebration day".
Typically, Muslims get up early on the day and have a small breakfast, usually consisting of dates. Then they go for congregational prayers at mosques or other open areas. After prayers and a short sermon, it is customary to embrace the people sitting on either side and greeting them. Food is a huge, integral part of the celebration and most Muslims have a lavish spread of food on their dining tables during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Specialties include beef rindang (a spicy dish dry curry), ketupat (rice cake) and lontong (rice cake immersed in coconut gravy).
Indonesia: Lebaran 2011
In Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world, Eid is known as Hari Raya Idul Fitri (or more informally as Lebaran). It is a national holiday celebrated with great enthusiasm and peace. The message of brotherhood is spread all throughout the country. Muslims wear new clothes and distribute sweets to mark this grand festival in Islamic calendar. On this grand occasion, markets all throughout Indonesia are decorated and people enjoy shopping with great fun.
Banks, private offices and government centers are also closed for almost one week in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Most parts of the Southeast Asia celebrate this great occasion of Eid as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
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More Eid Celebrations
Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast". This grand Muslim holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.
Before the day of Eid, at the closing of Ramadan, Muslim families give a set amount for donation to the poor. This donation is of basic staples is meant to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration.
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early morning in outdoors or at mosques to perform prayers.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims go about to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday. By tradition, younger members of the family usually take this opportunity to visit the elders or pay their respects to senior and extended family members.
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Philippines
 Muslim Filipinos in Sulu (Southern Philippines) celebrated the occasion with the local leaders and their families. Residents of Maimbung town broke their fast with prayers on a small mosque. The local government prepared food for over 2,000 people on a village in Maimbung town where they celebrated the Eid ul-Fitr. The leaders called on the people to always put God above all and continue to pray for peace and prosperity in Sulu and the other four provinces of the Muslim autonomous region. The other highlight of the Sulu Eid was the boat racing and swimming competition out in the open sea. The local government sponsored prices for winners that included a motorboat and cash prizes.
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Employment Opportunities
Academic
Assistant/Full Professor (tenure-track)
Department of Sociology
Stanford University, California, USA
Closing date: 1 November 2011
Lecturer Contemporary Indian History and Politics Australian National University
Sydney, Australia Closing date: 3 October 2011 Teaching Fellow Chinese Studies (including Linguistics,
Literature, History, Cultural Studies) Australian National University
Sydney, Australia Closing date: 31 October 2011
Community
On-call Field Research Assistants for Hawaii Middle Schools Research Study Contact persons:
Chris Ako, (808) 441-7707 Rebecca Knight (808)-441-8196 |
Conferences Hawaii Emerging Leaders ProgramModel APEC Conference
(Climate Change in APEC Countries)
November 4, 2011
Hawaii State Capitol
Email mchibana@hawaii.edu for info 11th Annual International Graduate Student Conference on the Asia Pacific Region February 16-18, 2012 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Abstract deadline: October 7, 2011 "On Cosmopolitanism and Southeast Asia: imaginings, mediation and movement" Island Southeast Asia Centre School of Culture, Language and History Australian National University Abstract deadline: September 15, 2011
2nd International Conference on Islamic Education 2011 (ICIEd2011)
12 to 14 December 2011
Bangi-Putrajaya, Malaysia
Full Paper Submission: 5 October 2011 Islamic Tourism Conference & Travel Mart
13 to 14 October 2011
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
International Conference on Imam Shafi'i: Reformation of Islamic Thought
1 to 2 November 2011
Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
2nd International Conference On Islam and Higher Education
14 and 15 November 2011
Pahang, Malaysia
Law and Religious Pluralism in
Contemporary Asia
17 to 18 November 2011
National University of Singapore, Singapore
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