AWARE PUBLICATIONS  Together Magazine Conceived by AWARE, TOGETHER is a cultural magazine, published monthly, and devoted to Arab culture. Its articles, news, and reviews cover literature, theatre, performance, music, and art - all from the Islamic and cultural point of view. The magazine also contains a several sections with articles on other topics related to culture such as travel, culinary features and sport. Under the direction of our qualified and experienced editorial team, this is a dynamic and quality magazine, offering a range of informed commentary on Arab themes. TOGETHER is recommended for anyone wishing to become knowledgeable about the cultural sphere in Kuwait and its impact on the lives of the people who have made Kuwait their second home.    Arab Contributions to Civilization in Math and Sciences The Arab world of the seventh to the thirteenth centuries was a great cosmopolitan civilization and an enormous unifying enterprise that joined the peoples of Spain and North Africa with the ancient lands of Egypt, Syria and Mesopotamia in the east. The Arab world enhanced and developed the arts and sciences and preserved the libraries of the early centuries of the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine cultures. Indeed, during the Dark Ages of Europe, much learning was preserved for the world through the Arab libraries in the universities of Morocco (Fez), Mali (Timbuktu) and Egypt (al-Azhar). From this period of Arab influence, new worlds such as orange, sugar, coffee, sofa, satin, and algebra filtered into the languages of Europe and eventually into our own. New discoveries were made in the sciences and arts that improved the life and condition of Man, and thousands of Arab contributions have become an integral part of human civilization. Mathematics In mathematics, the Arab sifr, or zero, provided new solutions for complicated mathematical problems. The Arabic numeral – an improvement on the original Hindu concept – and the Arab decimal system facilitated the course of science. The Arabs invented and developed algebra and made great strides in trigonometry. Al-Khwarizmi, credited with the founding of algebra, was inspired by the need to find a more accurate and comprehensive method of ensuring precise land divisions so that the Quran could be carefully obeyed in the laws of inheritance. The writings of Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa, and Master Jacob of Florence show the Arab influence on mathematical studies in European universities. The reformation of the calendar, with a margin of error of only one day in five thousand years, was also a contribution of Arab intellect. Astronomy Like algebra, the astrolabe was improved with religion in mind. It was used to chart the precise time of sunrises and sunsets, and to determine the period for fasting during the month of Ramadan. Arab astronomers of the Middle Ages compiled astronomical charts and tables in observatories such as those at Palmyra and Maragha. Gradually, they were able to determine the length of a degree, to establish longitude and latitude, and to investigate the relative speeds of sound and light. Al-Biruni, considered one of the greatest scientists of all time, discussed the possibility of the earth’s rotation on its own axis – a theory proven by Galileo six centuries later. Arab astronomers such as al-Fezari, al-Farghani, and al-Zarqali added to the works of Ptolemy and the classic pioneers in the development of the magnetic compass and charting of the zodiac. Distinguished astronomers from all over the world gathered to work at Maragha in the sixteenth century. Medicine In the field of medicine, the Arabs improved upon the healing arts of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Al-Razi, a medical encyclopedist of the ninth century, was an authority on contagion. Among his many volumes of medical surveys, perhaps the most famous is the Kitab al-Mansuri. It was used in Europe until the sixteenth century. Al-Razi was the first to diagnose smallpox and measles, to associate these diseases and others with human contamination and contagion, to introduce such remedies as mercurial ointment, and to use animal gut for sutures. The famous scientist-philosopher known in Europe as Avicenna was Ibn Sina, an Arab. He was the greatest writer of medicine in the Middle Ages, and his Canon was required reading throughout Europe until the seventeenth century. Avicenna did pioneer work in mental health, and was a forerunner of today’s psychotherapists. He believed that some illnesses were psychosomatic, and he sometimes led patients back to a recollection of an incident buried in the subconscious in order to explain the present ailment. In the fourteenth century, when the Great Plague ravaged the world, Ibn Khatib and Ibn Khatima of Granada recognized that it was spread by contagion. In his book, Kitabu’l Maliki, al-Maglusi showed a rudimentary conception of the capillary system; an Arab from Syria, Ibn al-Nafisk discovered the fundamental principles of pulmonary circulation. Other Sciences Concerning Arab contributions to engineering, one can look to the water wheel, cisterns, irrigation, water wells at fixed levels, and the water clock. In 860, the three sons of Musa ibn Shakir published the Book on Artifices, which described a hundred technical constructions. One of the earliest philosophers, al-Kindi, wrote on specific weight, tides, light reflection and optics. Al-Haythem (known in Europe as Alhazen) wrote a book in the tenth century on optics, Kitab Al Manazir. He explored optical illusions, the rainbow, and the camera obscura (which led to the beginning of photographic instruments). He also made discoveries in atmospheric refractions (mirages and comets, for example), studied the eclipse, and laid the foundation for the later development of the microscope and the telescope. Al-Haythem did not limit himself to one branch of the sciences, but like many of the Arab scientist and thinkers, explored and made contributions to the field s of physics, anatomy and mathematics. Acknowledgement The information in this leaflet was reprinted with permission from the American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (www.adc.org). The original booklet, “Arab Contributions to Human Civilizations” was written by Mary Macron of Cleveland, Ohio.   Traditional Clothing in Kuwait & the Gulf Enduring Tradition The visitor to Kuwait will notice great variety in clothing in Kuwait, which is home to more than 100 different nationalities. Westerners, Asians, Africans, Indians and Arabs wear the clothing of their choice and, furthermore, can easily find in the markets clothing from around the world. Although the lifestyles of many young Kuwaitis are changing due to Western influences, most Kuwaiti men and women wear traditional costumes whose style has changed little over the past 14 centuries. Kuwaiti Dress for Men Most Kuwaiti men wear a dishdasha, which is a long-sleeved, floor length garment with a button-down opening to the waist. Light materials in white or ivory are typical in summer, while heavier choices in gray, beige or blue are common in winter. Long or short white cotton pants are worn under the dishdasha. The long side pockets are sufficient for their paraphernalia: mobile phone, wallet, sibha (prayer beads), and so forth. The headdress of the Kuwaiti male is consists of three parts. First a gafiya, or a close-fitting knit white skull cap, is worn. It prevents the main cloth, or gutra, from slipping. The gutra is a square piece of cloth that is folded into a triangle and placed so that the ends hang down equally over the shoulders. White is usually worn in summer, and a heavier red and white cloth in winter. It is held in place by an ogal, a double circlet of twisted black cord. One or both ends of the gutra can also be placed backwards over the ogal. On formal occasions, a man may wear a bisht over his dishdasha, which is a spacious cloak made of gauzy cotton (for summer) or wool (for winter), usually trimmed with gold thread. Men generally do not wear jewelry except for a watch. Kuwaiti Dress for Women There is much more variety in the Kuwaiti woman’s dress. The traditional Kuwaiti woman wears a long-sleeved, loose, floor length dress, or dara’a. On festive occasions, it may be covered with a sheer, sequined or embroidered dress called a thobe. However, for daily outings, the abaya is popular; it is a silky head-to-toe black cloak that covers the traditional dara’as as well as Western fashion that is gaining popularity. A multitude of styles and colors of headscarves, called hejab, are worn by many Muslim women in Kuwait. Women of Bedouin origin often adopt a fuller face covering, such as a burqa, which is a short black veil that leaves the eyes and forehead exposed, or a bushiya, which is a semi-transparent veil that covers the entire face. Those who do so are fiercely proud of their right to be protected from the gaze of men. Kuwaiti Dress for Children Children wear a variety of clothing with ease. One will sometimes see groups of young boys in dishdashas playing football, with the hems pulled upwards, then wrapped and tucked at the waist to free the legs for serious play. Especially in holidays, young boys will wear the Kuwaiti headdress, and young girls will wear bukniks over their colorful dara’as. A buknik is headscarf that fits around the face and covers the hair, chest and back. Trimmed with gold and sequins, it is worn on festive occasions. Origins in Islam Traditional Kuwaiti clothing is based on the Islamic principle of modesty, which is enjoined for both men and women. And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, God is acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not display their beauty except that which must appear…. (24:30-31) Muslim women wear whatever they like among family and female friends, but they dress more modestly in public while keeping a graceful and elegant look. The Prophet Muhammad said that modesty brings nothing but good, not only with reference to clothing but to speech and behavior as well. Hejab: A Woman’s Perspective “I wore hejab of my own choice after marriage. Far from feeling oppressed by my simple, draping clothes, I felt truly free for the first time in my life. Free from eyes that measure, compare and speculate. Free from the discomfort of tight waistbands and high heels. Free from competition, suspicions and jealousy from women. More than that, I was free from the expectations I had of myself to be attractive to anyone who happened to see me. In public, all one sees of me is my hands and my face, representing the skills I have to serve the community and my personality, plain and simple. The hejab has given me a degree of comfort and self-respect I never expected." Try on traditional Kuwaiti clothing at the AWARE Center! There are dishdashas, bishts, gutras, ogals and gafiyas for boys and men, and dara’as, thobes, hejabs, abayas and bukniks for girls and women. Don’t forget your camera.   Islam at a glance What is Islam? Islam is an Arabic word that linguistically means submission, peace and security. It is not a religion per se, but a state of mind and body that comes from submission to God's will, and the peace and sense of security that results from that submission. The word "Muslim", which is derived from the same root, is an adjective that means "one who submits (to God)." Today, Islam refers to the way of life that entails following the guidance of the Quran and the practices of Prophet Muhammad. However, Islam was not founded by Muhammad. The Quran explains that messengers and prophets have been sent to people throughout the ages, all with the same message of Islam. And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship God Alone and avoid the worship of all false deities. (Quran16:36) Say, We believe in God and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and in [the books] given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another among them and to God do we bow our will [in Islam]. (Quran 3:84) Muslims believe that all prophets invited their peoples to the worship of the one and only God, who is called "Allah" in Arabic. Allah literally means "the God." Unlike the word "god" in English, Allah can not be made plural (gods) or given gender (goddess). It is a unique Arabic word that is used by all Arabic-speaking people when referring to God, whether they are Muslim, Christian or Jew. What do Muslims believe in? There are six main articles of faith Belief that the One True God is the only being worthy of worship. Belief in angels, who were created to carry out God's commandments on earth and in the heavens. Belief in the divinely revealed books, including the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms and the Quran. Belief in all God's prophets and messengers, 25 of whom are mentioned in the Quran. Belief in the Day of Resurrection, on which people will stand accountable before God for their faith and deeds. Belief in God's Will and Predestination, which alludes to God's wisdom in choosing aspects of our lives over which we have no control. Where are the teaching of Islam? The Qu’ran is the main source of Islamic teachings. It was revealed through inspiration to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) more than 1400 years ago. The Qu’ran is considered the word of God transmitted in the Arabic language. Muhammad and his contemporaries memorized and recorded the Qu’ran, and careful measures have been taken since that time to preserve it from alterations, corruption and omissions. This was achieved so successfully that the Qu’ran in print today is exactly the same as was revealed to Muhammad. Not a single letter has changed during the passage of centuries. Many translations of the Qu’ran can be found in almost every language; these are not considered the Qu’ran itself, but rather approximations of its meaning. Anyone who can read the Arabic text will agree that it is impossible to translate the majesty, style and manifold meanings of the Qu’ran. For this reason, the Arabic text is often printed aside the translations as a reference point. The Qu’ran is recited as a method of worship, and Muslims study and memorize it from a young age. Many Muslims have memorized the entire Qu’ran. In addition to the Qu’ran, Muslims adhere to the guidance of Muhammad, known as the "sunnah." It includes his sayings, actions and tacit approvals, which show how a Muslim should conduct his daily life and dealings with others. However, Muhammad's words have been recorded separately from the Qu’ran, and are collected in books of "hadeeth." These collections of biographical information have gone through a rigorous authentication process. The collections considered most reliable are those by the tenth century scholars Muslim and Bukhari. About Muhammed, the Qu’ran says, Indeed, in the messenger of God you have a good example to follow for he who hopes in [the meeting with] God and the Last Day, and remembers God much. (Quran 33:21) We have sent you with the Truth, bringing good news and giving warning. (Quran 2:119) Although revered by Muslims, Muhammad is not worshipped or considered divine in any way. It is customary, however to invoke Go’ds peace and blessing on him when his name is mentioned. How do Muslim manifest their faith? There are five main deeds in Islam, called "pillars" of the faith, which every Muslim should perform. They are: 1. The Declaration of Faith: A Muslim declares his faith by saying, "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except the One True God, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger." 2. Five Daily Prayers: Prayers are prescribed five times a day as a duty towards the Creator. If done conscientiously, it strengthens faith, purifies the heart and controls temptation and wrong doing. 3. Zakat: A Muslim pays zakat (compulsory charity) to the poor and others in need. It amounts to 2.5% of ones excess wealth that has accumulated for a year. Zakat helps to establish economic balance and social justice in the society, and promotes goodwill between the rich and the poor. 4. Fasting in Ramadan: A Muslim fasts from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drinks, smoking and sexual relations. Through this month-long exercise, the Muslim has the opportunity to develop mindfulness of God, patience and self-restraint. 5.Hajj: A Muslim performs the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, once in his lifetime on the condition that he is physically and financially able.     Who is Mohammad? His Life Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born about 570 CE into a noble Arabian tribe in Makkah. He was orphaned at a young age and was raised by his grandfather. He worked as a shepard for a time and after his grandfathers death, he was raised by his uncle, accompanying him on the caravans which used to leave from Makkah for Syria for trade. He was well-respected and noted for his honesty and integrity, and was called "Al-Ameen" (The Trustworthy One) by the people of Makkah. The People of Makkah used to worship idols, but Muhammad did not participate in the polytheistic practices of his people. Rather he used to spend long hours meditating in a nearby cave. It was here, at the age of 40, that Angel Gabriel came to him with the first revelation from Almighty God. He immediately began calling his people to direct their lives and worship to God alone and to abandon the worship of anything other than Him. Muhammad and the fledgling Muslim community, made up of all types of people from nobles to slaves, were persecuted for their beliefs and abandoning the religion of their forefathers. But even with this, the numbers of Muslims continued to increase. Eventually the persecution became more severe, and God instructed his Messenger to immigrate along with his companions to the city of Madeenah. The people of Madeenah accepted the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pledged to worship none other than God and to obey Him, to establish the five daily prayers, and to obey His Messenger. From here, he was able to invite to Islam openly, and it spread far and wide. The enemies of Muhammad sent huge armies to wipe out the small Muslim community. Although being significantly outnumbered, they overcame their aggressors, and within a few years, Prophet Muhammad returned to Makkah and conquered it. The people of Makkah were astounded by the Prophet's mercy and pardon towards a community that had persecuted him and drove him from his home, causing many, including some of the leaders of the city, to embrace Islam. By his death at the age of 63, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had spread Islam to most of the Arabian Peninsula and his followers spread it to most of the world. Prior to Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the Arabs had been irrelevant in history. Muhammad united them and changed them from paganism and idolatry to the worship of the one true God; from tribal wars to unity and brotherhood; from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety. He changed them into a nation that would take their religion to most of the world within 100 years of his death. History has not seen such a startling change or the speed by which a new religion would spread. Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was and continues to be the supreme example for humanity in behavior, manners, belief, worship, as a husband and father, a military leader, a teacher, neighbor, and friend. God said about him in the Qur'aan: "Indeed in the Messenger of God you have a good example to follow for he who hopes in (the meeting with) God and the Last Day and remembers God much." (33:21) A Prophet foretold in the Bible The coming of Muhammad is prophesized in the Deuteronomy, 18:18, when God tells Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.” Muhammad was like Moses in many ways: both had fathers and mothers, both married and had children, both were accepted by their nations and were sent by God with new, comprehensive codes of law for their people. Both began their prophetic missions at the age of forty, and both Moses and Muhammad (peace be upon them) died and were buried in the earth. So we can see the many similarities between them. Jesus also prophesized Muhammad's coming in John 16:12-14: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” Jesus’ mission is related in detail in the Qur'aan. It is also interesting to note that many of the early Muslims were previously learned Christians and Jews who were expecting a prophet in Arabia as foretold in their own scriptures. When Muhammad began calling to what God had revealed to him, these people recognized that indeed, he was the Prophet that they had been waiting for. The Final Messenger to humanity Muhammad is the last of God's Messengers, the unlettered Prophet (unable to read and write), sent as a mercy for the worlds and a bringer of glad tidings and a Warner, just as those before him were. God said in the Qur'aan: "Messengers who were sent with the good news of God's reward for those who obey God, do as He commands and believe in His Messengers, and warners of God's punishment for those who disobey God, defy His commands and disbelieve in His Messengers, so that those who disbelieve in God and worship others besides Him may have no excuse to avoid punishment after the sending of the Messengers." (4:165) “And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger proclaiming: worship God (alone) and avoid all false objects of worship.” (16:36) Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with the final revelation, the Qur'aan, which was revealed to him in the Arabic language over a span of 23 years, memorized verbatim and recorded and collected by his companions. The Qur'aan has been preserved in its pristine, unchanged state up until today, word for word, letter for letter. This revelation is an affirmation of the divinely-revealed books before it as a completion and witness over them. "And We (God) have revealed to you the Qur'aan in truth, affirming that which preceded it from the Heavenly books, and a witness and judge over them." (5:48) Throughout the Qur'aan, God invites mankind to worship Him and abandon the worship of all others. Also, God mentions scientific facts and prophesizes events which were impossible for someone who could neither read nor write to know about. Though the Arabs at the time had an amazing power and eloquence in Arabic poetry and language, not one of them could produce anything like one verse of the Qur'aan. Muslims also follow the practice and sayings of the Prophet, known as the “Sunnah,” as a source of guidance and a means of understanding the meanings of the Qur'aan. The devout Muslim tries to imitate the Prophet Muhammad in his beliefs, worship, relations with people, appearance, and daily habits. God said: “Say (O Muhammad): If you truly love God then follow me, God will love you and forgive you your sins.” (3:31) What Historians have to say about Muhammad (Peace be upon him) Although Prophet Muhammad was one of the world's greatest personalities, very little is known about him in the West. However, many historians have studied and written about him. "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results. Are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?" "..IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?" [Lamartine in "Historie de la Turquie"] "I have studied him- this wonderful man- and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the saviour of humanity." [George Bernard Shaw in "The Genuine Islam"] Gandhi said in "Young India": “…. I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the prophet, the scrupulous regards for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his mission. These and not the sword carried before them and surmounted every trouble.” "It Is Impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme." [Annie Besant in "The Life and Teachings of Muhammad"] "My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels." [Michael Hart, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History"]    What is Ramadaan? Ramadaan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and the month during which the Prophet Mohammed received the first revelation from God, the first verses of the Holy Quran. The Quran says: The month of Ramadaan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. So whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship, and that you complete the number of days and that you extol God for His having guided you aright and that you render your thanks [unto Him].(2:185) Muslims view Ramadaan as a month of joy, goodwill and community spirit, rather than a month of hardship. There are many benefits from fasting: personal and communal, physical and spiritual. God-consciousness God - consciouness is the foremost benefit of fasting and the reason for it's prescription: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may have God-consciousness." (2:183) With God-consciousness, one is motivated to perform actions that are pleasing to God and at the same time avoid things that He has prohibited. The fasting Muslim is aware that God knows and sees all things, and is conscious of His presence throughout the day. For his observation of the fast, he is promised forgiveness and a great reward in the Hereafter. The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said,” Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadaan with full consciousness of faith and a sense of accountability will have all previous sins forgiven.” Will power During Ramadaan, from dawn until sunset, every healthy adult Muslim abstains from food, drinks and sexual relations. After sunset and until dawn, no such restrictions apply. Pregnant, breast-feeding and menstruating women, as well as people who are travelling or sick should not fast, but should make up the days when they have the ability to do so. Pre-pubescent children are not required to fast, although many children insist on fasting along with their parents and siblings. The physical effects of fasting include lowered blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. But more importantly, fasting develops a level of patience and self-discipline that cannot be achieved easily in any other way. After fasting an entire month, one develops confidence in oneself to meet any challenge with resolve, patience and faith in God. Empathy Ramadaan is unique in that it provides an opportunity for every Muslim, regardless of his economic status, to have a first-hand experience of how it feels to be hungry and thirsty for hours on end. One can only become more empathetic and compassionate to the poor and disadvantaged, as well as more thankful for the blessings one enjoys every day. Muslims are encouraged to be more charitable during Ramadaan and to help anyone in need. Not only are sharing food and spending in charity encouraged, but everything from a kind word to a smile is considered a charitable act. In the evenings in Ramadaan, social visits are exchanged to promote love and brotherhood. Many people invite relatives and neighbors to break the fast together, called iftar. Thus, the month of Ramadaan is also a very social occasion. The bleak abstinence of the day contrasts with the joyous festivities of the night. Increased worship While the most obvious feature of Ramadaan is the fast, there are several extraordinary forms of worship that are practiced to gain closeness to the Creator. In addition to the five daily prayers, the Muslim often increases his prayers and supplications during Ramadaan, particularly with evening taraweeh prayers, about two hours after sunset, and with prayers throughout the night. The last ten nights of Ramadaan are especially important as Muslims anticipate Lailat-al-Qadr, or the Night of Destiny. This night is the anniversary of the first Qu’ranic revelation and is said to be equal to a thousand months of worship in merit. Since they are not sure on which night it falls, Muslims intensify worship for all ten nights. Many Muslims try to recite the whole Qur'aan at least once in Ramadaan. It is a time for total dedication to on’es faith, providing a focus for the coming year. It is truly a month of worship and God-consciousness. Eid, or the Feast Eid-alFitr, or celebration of the feast, follows the last day of Ramadaan. It is a special time of congratulations, socialization and charity. The day begins with congregational prayers after sunrise and follows with exchanging visits, giving gifts, sharing meals and social outings. However, all agree that the real celebration is not when the fast is complete, but begins on the first day of Ramadaan and lasts throughout the month.     Eid in Kuwait There are two Eids during the year and they constitute major holidays in Kuwait. The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which follows Ramadan, usually takes place over three days. Throughout the Eid, the people will dress in their finest clothes and families will exchange visits and entertain children with outings and monetary gifts. Eid al-Adhaa, which follows the pilgrimage season, is celebrated in similar fashion. For three days, families exchange visits, share special meals and treat children to gifts, fun and games. The meaning of Eid In its purest sense, the Arabic word Eid refers to something that returns and is repeated. It is known as the celebrations that follow two of the major rituals in Islam – the fast of Ramadan and the pilgrimage, or Hajj. The Eids are unique festivals when Muslims celebrate their spiritual progress with worship, charity, socialization and festivity. Eid al-Fitr Eid al-Fitr, or Festival of Breaking Fast, is the celebration that follows Ramadan. After a month of abstaining from food, drink, smoking and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset, Muslims celebrate with a congregational prayer, charity and joyful social exchanges. Eid begins on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. Following the dawn prayer, the Muslim prepares for the Eid prayer, which takes place shortly after sunrise. He showers, wears his best clothes, and has a bite to eat to begin celebrating breaking the fas”t. All the while, he may hear around him the people repeating the takbee”r, or praises of God, on their way to the Eid prayer. Then he goes to a large open area for congregational prayers and a short sermon. He is joined by men, women and children from his neighborhood. There is a great joy in Eid al-Fitr, and any Muslim would agree that the joy of breaking the month-long fast is secondary to many other feelings, such as thankfulness, remembrance, achievement and peace. Thankfulness Muslims are thankful to God for the guidance He sent in the Qur'an, which was revealed in the month of Ramadan, and for helping them fulfill their spiritual obligations prior to the Eid. This thankfulness is not confined to spiritual devotion but is expressed with charity, good will and celebration. The distribution of alms constitutes a major part of the Eid. Every Muslim man, woman and child will give a specified amount of money or food-stuff to the needy. Remembrance The celebration of Eid begins with remembering God first and foremost. The congregational Eid prayer is a time to glorify Him, remember His blessings and generosity, and pray for forgiveness for any shortcomings in on’es fast. Achievement Every Muslim who completed the fast of Ramadan has a tremendous sense of achievement. When he abstains from satisfying the most basic needs and powerful urges of life all day, each day for an entire month, both in public and in private, he develops a level of patience and self-discipline that cannot be achieved easily in any other way. After the fast, he feels he can meet any challenge with resolve, patience and faith. Peace The discipline and spirituality of Ramadan leaves in the Muslim a profound feeling of peace and satisfaction. This comes from the willful submission to Go’ds Law and from the blessings which emanate from that submission. Eid al-Adhaa Eid al-Adhaa, or Festival of the Sacrifice, follows the pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj. It falls on the tenth day of Thul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Like Eid al-Fitr, it begins with a congregational prayer after sunrise. The day before the Eid, those performing Hajj spend the day at Mount Arafah outside Mecca, supplicating, praying, seeking forgiveness, and feeling a close connection with the Creator. Those who did not go for Hajj fast on that day, also increasing in worship and acts of goodness. This day, known as the Day of Arafah, is the peak of the pilgrimage. So the Eid is a celebration of having completed this tremendous day. After the Eid prayer, the head of the household will slaughter a sheep or other animal and distribute some of its meat to relatives and the poor. This is to commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his long-awaited son, Ishmael, after receiving God's command to do so in a dream. Both he and his son were willing to comply, knowing it was a test of faith and submission. However, just as the knife was put to Ishmael's throat, a ram was brought by arch-angel Gabriel as a substitute. Abraham had proven his faith and his obedience, so the ram was sacrificed in Ishmael's place. To commemorate this event, the Muslim will purchase a sheep or another edible animal, slaughter it, and give some if its meat in charity. The meat is distributed to family, neighbors and the needy. It is received joyfully, often cooked immediately into sumptuous feasts, and several families gather to exchange greetings and share in the festivities. The celebration of Eid al-Adhaa lasts for three days.