Eid al-Fitr, often shortened to Eid, is a celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, individuals fast daily from dawn until dusk and take time for introspection and self-reflection.
During Eid people gather with friends and family to pray, celebrate, exchange gifts, and feast.
Cultural celebrations are more than rituals and traditions. They provide opportunities for learning and connecting with others in the community, which is an important part of the journey for many of the youth at Covenant House Vancouver (CHV).
As the youth gathered over a vibrant, savoury meal at our recent Eid dinner, they were able to honour traditions and connect with one another as they created community with their peers. CHV teams had the opportunity to learn more about the diverse backgrounds of the youth we serve and support.
Kadee, Lead Spiritual Care Practitioner at CHV, emphasized that CHV strives to meet the needs of every youth who expresses a desire to connect, or stay connected, to their beliefs and community.
“For a lot of the youth, their faith, their beliefs, their spiritual practices are what have helped them survive,” Kadee said.
Many of the youth at CHV have experienced overwhelming loss and trauma. Dinners and celebrations are important ways to create a safe, welcoming space for all, regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity.
And when it comes to Eid, the celebrations are abundant. Across British Columbia, thousands participate in Eid celebrations annually, while on a global scale millions of people take part in various Eid traditions, with gatherings taking place on nearly every continent.
While Eid is just one of many unique and deeply meaningful celebrations rooted in faith, it serves as an important reminder for the youth, our teams, and our volunteers to honour their spiritual practices.
As the spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “Any reason is a good reason to celebrate, for celebration is the nature of our spirit.”