More Holidays

I was joined one of my co-workers, Mohamed, to celebrate the first day of the Muslim Eid/Feast al-Adha (aka Eid al-Kebir or Great Feast) with him, his wife, Marwa, 2 ½ year old son, Omar (aka Hercules!), and their extended family – always a big gathering. I joined them for dinner once before during Ramadan and was happy to see everyone again. My facial muscles certainly do get a workout with all the smiling! (I guess it’s a positive sign that we’re smiling.)

We, Mohamed’s cousin, parents and me, arrived at Mohamed’s family flat around 11am, just after a neighbour’s family had . . .have to be careful with wording here. . .cut the throat of their sheep to mark the beginning of the Eid. (The Eid al-Adha marks the beginning of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which all able Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime and is a pillar of their faith. On the first day of this feast families who can afford to slaughter a sheep as a symbol of their dedication to God. This tradition stems from the story in which Abraham sacrifices a sheep instead of his son. This is how friends here have explained it. If you have anything to add or correct please post a comment or send an email).

I hoped to make it home before dinner (aka supper) time to have time to pack for my trip the next day, although I believe I knew that wouldn’t happen from the beginning. We spent the day laughing and attempting conversations, watching movies, eating. . .oh my, did we eat. . . lunch and dinner. I tried the traditional lamb dish that most/all Muslims eat on the first day of the feast and had more traditional Egyptian cuisine. We talked about Canada, and I learned more about the Islamic culture and faith. It was a great day. . . that wound down sometime around 9pm, 10 hours after it began. Too bad I forgot my camera. The last time I was there my camera wasn’t working. Perhaps I’ll have to visit once more to get a picture to post!