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After month of Ramadan, a festival

During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims mark the end of fasting with fun and family.

By CHANDRA BROADWATER
Published October 24, 2006

SPRING HILL - Two-year-old Maryam Shuayb knew she had arrived at a party Monday morning.

"She was so excited when we got here," said Raghed Kalaaji, her mother, while standing with a crowd outside the mosque on Barclay Avenue. "She said, "It's a birthday.' "

With a ring of brightly colored beads around her neck, Maryam took a break from playing to briefly stand next to her mother, who held 8-month-old Yusuf in her arms.

Along with father Mujib Shuayb, the Spring Hill family came to the mosque to celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, or the end of fasting.

The day means treats for children and the chance for families and friends to spend time with one other. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight as a way to cleanse the soul, practice self-discipline and remember those less fortunate.

Monday's celebration marked the first time Eid al-Fitr festivities were held in the county. Families here usually travel to the larger carnival, with bigger rides and games, in Tampa.

Children stayed busy bouncing up and down inside a Moonwalk, and enjoying games, candy, beads and small toys that were passed out Monday. Adults enjoyed relaxing and conversing with one another - men in one area and women in another - as they watched the children.

"This is historic for Hernando County," said Dr. Adel Eldin, who helped organize the festivities. "It's refreshing to see this, people here celebrating together. We really wanted to do something special for the kids."

The party started after morning prayers and a light breakfast - nothing too heavy for stomachs not used to food, Eldin explained. It would go on as long as the children wanted to play, he said.

Eldin also hoped that Monday's celebration would remind county residents that not all Muslims are bad, as some perceive.

"It's a tough time for Muslims," he said. "Some of these children here, they have been harassed and called names. Some of the women mocked for their head scarves. Unfortunately, that will take a toll on these children. We want to show people that we are proud Americans and Muslims."

Since 1984, Hernando Muslims have worshiped at the mosque on Barclay. In a year, the members hope to have a larger mosque built next to the current building. They are in the process of collecting money and drawing blueprints for the project.

On Monday morning, spots to pray on the mosque floor were scarce. While the county's Muslim community is growing, with about 200 members, it is still small compared to others.

But that's exactly what Raghed Kalaaji likes. After living in cities like Boston and Pittsburgh, she recently moved to Spring Hill with her husband, who has family in the county.

"You get to know people better," Kalaaji said. "When it's bigger, sometimes you don't have the chance to really meet people. I like it here."

Though her family had plans to go to Tampa later Monday with others, Kalaaji said the Hernando celebration was a good way to celebrate the end of Ramadan. There was plenty for the children to do.

For her, Ramadan is a time of worship and spiritualness.

"In America, there really isn't anything like this - a month-long holiday," she said. "We get together every day, and on the weekends there are dinners for everyone. It's a different thing that we don't experience the rest of the year. It's almost a little bit sad when it's over."

Chandra Broadwater can be reached at cbroadwater@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.

[Last modified October 23, 2006, 22:15:39]