h. nazan ışık—

6 July 2016—

The Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı, Şeker Bayramı) marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. It is a three-day holiday to celebrate it with family, friends and neighbours. Muslims donate food, clothes to the poor so they can enjoy it too. It starts with the Eid al-Fitr Prayer in the morning.

The one I went was at Bensonhurst Park, where thousands of Muslims and Mayor de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray attended. It stated at 8:00 am on Wednesday, 6 July. (I’ve heard that some communities celebrated it on 5 July.)

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Mayor de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray attended the Eid al-Fitr Prayer at Bensonhurst Park.

Mayor: “It is an honor to be with you. And, my wife, Chirlane, and I look forward to being with you at this special occasion, celebrating the end of this holy month. It’s a time for contemplation and joy.”

And continued: “It’s a time of joy, as I said. We also are saddened in these last weeks by senseless acts of violence around the world. And here, in New York City, […] we stand as a beacon to the world – that all people, all faiths together can live in harmony, and today is a great example of that.”

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Chirlane McCray, the First Lady of New York City, is greeting someone.

We have taken the steps to make this one city said the Mayor and reminded: “We ended the Muslim surveillance program that troubled so many people. We have ensured that City Hall is open, and inviting, and welcoming to all people from the community. We have made the two Eid holidays as official school holidays for our public schools.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio thanked the 900 members of the Muslim Society of the NYPD and finished his remarks:

“To conclude, I wish you all and all of your families a joyous day.

Eid Mubarak!”

And they left.

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The Eid al-Fitr Prayer started. It was like sea of people. Thousands of Muslims attended the prayer. According to authorities it was 10.000 people who attended.

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It was a big park, Bensonhurts Park, men were praying on one side, women on the other side. And some were outside the designated area. Yes, it was like a sea of people.

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There were some latecomers, for them there was a second prayer, almost as crowded as the first one.

Some parents came with their children who have stood next to their fathers, mothers, and watched them.

After the prayer it was time to enjoy the day.

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People posed for photos during the Eid holiday.

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People dressed for the day. It is a tradition to wear something new, anything new.

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A mother and daughter who were wearing a matching dress.

I asked: “ You look beautiful, is it new?”

“Yes. Just made it for the Eid al-Fitr,” she answered.

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Children looked like princesses and young men.

It was a very hot day, on Wednesday. People started leaving at about 11:00 ish, however they planned to enjoy, to celebrate the holiday with family, friends, neighbours.

Photos: © h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN, All rights reserved, Her hakkı saklıdır.

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