By Annalisa Fletcher

Many holidays bring people together in meaningful ways, and this Friday marks the beginning of Eid, a celebration observed by millions around the world. While the holiday itself is shared, the way it is celebrated can look very different depending on culture, family, and community. At IA, students are preparing to celebrate in their own unique ways.

Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims that marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. It begins based on the sighting of the moon, which is why the exact date can vary, but this year it is expected to begin today. Eid is a time of gratitude, reflection, and joy after a month of discipline and spiritual focus. It often starts with a special morning prayer and is considered one of the most important celebrations in Islam.

With Eid falling on a school day this year, students are spending their time off from school celebrating in ways that bring both community and tradition together. An anonymous freshman shared that their day begins early in the morning at a cultural center for Eid prayer, surrounded by others in their community. After the prayer, they described how everyone gathers to have breakfast together, specifically within their Turkish Muslim community. “After that, people usually either split up or celebrate together,” they explained. For many students, this time off from school allows them to fully participate in these meaningful traditions, from attending prayer to reconnecting with members of their community that they may not see regularly.

In addition to community celebrations, students are also using their day off to focus on family, both near and far. An anonymous junior explained that after the initial Eid prayer and gathering, their day becomes centered around family connections. “We usually split off to go eat brunch as a family,” they shared, emphasizing how meals play an important role in the celebration. They also mentioned reaching out to extended family members who may not live in the United States, saying, “We call all extended family members that may not be living in America… and we kind of catch up.” This shows how Eid goes beyond just physical gatherings, allowing families to stay connected across distances. They added that the celebration often continues for up to three days, including visiting relatives who live nearby and spending time with family friends. Another tradition they mentioned includes going to family friends’ houses, drinking tea, and enjoying sweets, especially after a month of fasting. These moments of connection, food, and tradition demonstrate how students are using their time away from school to fully embrace the spirit of Eid. Even with different traditions from different people, Eid is a time of togetherness, gratitude, and joy.