Eid Mubarak is one of the holiest and most important holidays in the Islamic calendar and DePauw University students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds and faiths gathered to celebrate on the first floor of Reese Hall last Friday night.
The Muslim Student Association provided free food for those who attended the event, as well as free music. In addition, there was a short presentation about the religious significance of Eid and how it is typically celebrated.
“We wanted to plan it and make sure everybody on the campus knows that there is a significant presence of people from Asia, especially Muslims, on this campus and that whenever we plan events we want to include everybody in events,” said Vice President of the Muslim Student Association, sophomore Syed Raza, “It's not just for Muslims or people of color, it’s for everybody.”
Eid celebrates when the prophet Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son for God. However, when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God put a goat in his son’s place. The purpose of this was to test the loyalty of Abraham and his son and see how dedicated they were to God. Muslims remember this day as a way to remember to put their trust firmly in God.
“We wanted to just show a different side of what people don’t know about Muslims,” Raza said, “We just wanted to have a good time, and some good food.”
Every year, Muslims begin Eid by praying at their mosque with others, and then return home to sacrifice a goat in honor of Abraham’s sacrifice. Traditionally the goat is then distributed with others; people give one third to their families, one third to their friends and the last third to the poor.
This year, Eid landed on Monday, Sept. 12, and occurred during the last month of the Islamic calendar, but the Muslim Student Association wanted to make the event easily accessible. “Everyone would not be able to make it if we did it on Monday or Tuesday,” said Public Relations Officer for the Muslim Student Association, sophomore Taimoor Malik, “We thought it would be better if we did it on Friday, and so far we’ve had a great turnout.”
In addition, there have been Muslim professors who have canceled their Monday classes out of respect for the holiday and the traditions.
The event on Friday was well attended and there were few seats left for those who arrived later than 6:30 p.m. “So I'm friends with one of the Vice Presidents and he called me and invited me,” said sophomore Kiara Goodwine, “I am so glad I went because the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fun. Everyone looked like they were having a good time and I was so glad they held a short presentation describing the religious significance behind Eid.”
The large turnout really exceeded the expectations of the Muslim Student Association. “I’m really happy,” Malik said, “I really wasn’t expecting many people, but I am really happy with the turnout, it was pretty awesome.”
