Muslims on campus celebrate Eid-al-Adha
Saba Naseem
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Lifestyles
"Most of the time our family does the sacrifice, but sometimes it is hard to do it here in America," said Uzma Ahmad, a senior finance and international economics major. "Instead there are companies around the world who will distribute money to the poor in place of the sacrifice."
The Muslim community gets together with family and friends. They start with prayers followed by a sermon and then end with a feast. Most of the Muslims on campus go to the mosque on Razorback Road and attend the sermon there.
"The best part of Eid, for me, is that sense of community when we all get together at the mosque, Ahmad said. "I usually wear a shalwar kameez, the traditional Pakistani dress."
There are also many international Muslim students at the UA who find the celebrations here quite different from their celebrations back home.
"Back in Bangladesh, we get up early and the men get ready to go to the mosque," said Afrin Zeenat, a master's student in English. "The women usually do not go, but stay home and get dressed. After the men come back, we do the sacrifice and break our morning fast with a big feast. It feels like more of a festivity since the entire country is celebrating and no one has to worry about going to work."
"Over here, however, we don't do the sacrifice and everybody, including the women go to the mosque," Zeenat said. "Since we don't have family here, we get together with the Bangladeshi community and celebrate by having a big dinner and socializing."
While classes are still in session and people are obligated to go to work, Muslims all around the world and on campus continue to celebrate this important holiday.
The Muslim community gets together with family and friends. They start with prayers followed by a sermon and then end with a feast. Most of the Muslims on campus go to the mosque on Razorback Road and attend the sermon there.
"The best part of Eid, for me, is that sense of community when we all get together at the mosque, Ahmad said. "I usually wear a shalwar kameez, the traditional Pakistani dress."
There are also many international Muslim students at the UA who find the celebrations here quite different from their celebrations back home.
"Back in Bangladesh, we get up early and the men get ready to go to the mosque," said Afrin Zeenat, a master's student in English. "The women usually do not go, but stay home and get dressed. After the men come back, we do the sacrifice and break our morning fast with a big feast. It feels like more of a festivity since the entire country is celebrating and no one has to worry about going to work."
"Over here, however, we don't do the sacrifice and everybody, including the women go to the mosque," Zeenat said. "Since we don't have family here, we get together with the Bangladeshi community and celebrate by having a big dinner and socializing."
While classes are still in session and people are obligated to go to work, Muslims all around the world and on campus continue to celebrate this important holiday.
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