An especially emotional Ramadan comes to an end
<p dir="ltr">More than 600,000 Muslims across Australia and billions around the world celebrated the end of Ramadan this week.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After fasting from dawn to dusk for a month, Muslim families gathered for Eid al-Fitr festitivies which go on for three days.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This year’s Eid has been declared a lot more emotional following two years of restrictions which stopped families from getting together and celebrating. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The morning of Eid sees worshippers head to the Mosque for the Eid prayer before wishing everyone an “Eid Mubarak” (Happy Eid). </p>
<p dir="ltr">Families will gather at parks, houses, restaurants and feast on delicious foods as they commemorate the end of the holy month.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Everyone is dressed in their best clothing, with young children gifted with money from their elders.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fellow worshipper Ivan Adnan was overwhelmed with emotions after being able to recite verses of the Quran and praying with members of the community. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“As part of the festival, right after Eid namaz (prayers), men give each other three hugs, which in Bengali, in my language, we call it kola-koli. And women do the same with each other," he told <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-muslims-overcome-with-emotion-at-this-years-eid-al-fitr-celebrations/ewflhocr1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SBS News</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Last year and the year before, we couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t even go to prayer.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">This year meant a lot to Mr Adnan who felt a stronger “connection” to his faith and God.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I felt so connected to God. And I felt so connected to my community. And I was overcome with emotion,” he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The next Ramadan is expected to fall around March 22 - based on the moon sighting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You can have all your questions about Ramadan answered <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/body/everything-you-ve-always-wanted-to-know-about-ramadan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: SBS/YouTube</em></p>
