GUARDIAN

Friday, 07 January 2000

The symbolism of Eid-el-fitri

SINCE yesterday, Moslems all over the world have been celebrating the
Eid-el-fitri festival to mark the end of their 30-day Ramadan fast. As one
of the five pillars of Islam, the fast is supposed to serve as a fount of
spiritual renewal and rededication to the core precepts of the religion. It
is also expected to bring the faithful closer to the Almighty Allah so that
they can walk in his guidance. This year's event is significant in that it
is the first to be celebrated in the new millennium.

The one month fast which culminated in this ceremony was observed
concomitantly with prayer. Faithfuls were expected to moderate their mundane
activities and to undergo a host of other sanctions in order not to hinder
their supplication to Allah. Overall, emphasis was placed on self-denial and
purification of the soul as the hallmark of genuine piety. Doubtless, the
solemn atmosphere provided by this spiritual activity would enhance in the
faithful a deeper sense of sobriety and reflection which should, in turn,
underline the nothingness of man's existence in the absence of God.

As our Moslem brothers and sisters celebrate the renewal of faith, they
would do well to ponder why the world appears to be getting more deeply
mired in acrimony, licentious living, war and other unwholesome practices in
spite of the expanding doctrines enunciated by the various religious bodies.
Humanity, in recent times, would seem to have lost its original spiritual
anchor, with so much accent placed on unbridled acquisitiveness and
selfishness. The virtues of modesty and service are under threat. Those who
are blessed with possessions do not want to share with the less privileged.
Many, now, would see the homily of love, tolerance and decent lifestyle as
anachronistic, preferring rather to exalt vanity and ephemeral achievements.
In most parts of Africa, unnecessary wars are wasting children and vital
resources. Ambitious politicians continue to cause division, ethnic and
social hatred. In Nigeria, a frightening era of suspicion and violent
antagonism is making it difficult to sustain old solidarities and mutual
confidence.

Happily, this is a Ramadan feast in which adherents are supposed to
re-examine themselves vis-a-vis the ennobling teachings and deeds which
Prophet Mohammed bequeathed the human race. There is the need for all
peoples to re-invent the pristine spirit of {Eid-el-fitri}. If love abounds
among us there would be no room for religious intolerance, enmity and war.
If mankind is guided by the tenets of holiness and self-abnegation which
this observance entails, the world would largely be spared of hate, rape,
corruption, robbery and murder that cause so much pain and distress to
millions.

As we celebrate, let us ponder over the essence of man's sojourn in the
world, which is to live in accordance with the will and commandments of
Allah. The consciousness of our common heritage as mortals who are bound by
one destiny should propel us to eschew strife and all vices. We should all
rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace, to promote fellow-feeling among
us and to cultivate love.]

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