Reflect This Eid

What does Eid mean to you and how does it make you a better person? Homaira Kabir reflects on her Eid memories and the lessons she has learnt over the years

- Homaira kabir

Eid-ul- Fitr has always been my favourite Eid. When I was a child, it meant three days of endless celebrations. I loved the eve, when we’d stand excitedly looking for the moon in the twilight sky, because it meant we could go out for bangles to match our new clothes. Then there was the long night that followed when the kitchen came alive and my mother and grandmother headed to the stove instead of their prayer mats. And once they were done, and the dining table was in full array for the next day, my grandmother would come to our room with a bowl of henna, and wake me up gently so we could both apply it in quiet whispers as the whole house slept.

She would place one little dollop in the centre of my hand, fold my fingers on top of it, and then wrap my hand up in a piece of white muslin cloth torn in two at the end to tie the knot.

“Now go to bed” she would say, “and you’ll see magic in the morning”.