By Elissa Salamy and Myron MathisSTAFF WRITER AND SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Hofstra University’s Muslim Student Association hosted an Eid dinner for students on campus on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The event featured free food, henna tattoos and a candy jar raffle to raise money for the club. Students were also welcome to recite poetry, spoken word and rap. Kebab King catered the event with traditional Afghan food such as rice, chicken tikka, pita bread and white sauce. Students of all faiths and backgrounds were invited to celebrate, and Hofstra Chaplain Seemi Ahmed encouraged students to get to know one another.
“We had around 100 people attend, which is pretty good considering our club membership is around 30 people,” said Soha Salman, president of the Muslim Student Association. “There were people of all sorts of religions and cultures, which I thought was great because people got to mingle and get to know each other.”
Eid al-Adha is traditionally celebrated by praying together, exchanging gifts and donating to charity, as well as sacrificing a sheep or a goat.
Muslims dress in their best clothes to express their gratitude to Allah and donate to the poor so that they can celebrate the holiday as well. The Muslim Student Association encouraged students attending to dress nicely. Many wore cultural or ethnic clothing.
The holiday also marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Many Muslim communities hold firework shows and festivals to celebrate Eid al-Adha.
“I like Eid because it brings the family together,” said junior Omar Tarbzoni. “Also, there are fireworks which plays a major role.”
Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays of Islam, occurred on Oct. 4 this year. The holiday, which in Arabic means “Festival of Sacrifice,” marks the occasion when Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of devotion to Allah. Allah stopped Ibrahim at the last minute and offered up a lamb to sacrifice instead.
“Everyone has tests and trials in their lives,” said Ahmed. “When we have trials we can learn from the prophet Mohammed.”
