Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, Halloween. So many holidays are mainstream, and their names are recognizable to anyone and everyone. But what about those we don’t tend to explore as much? Those are our peers, whom we know little to nothing about?
Kettle Run recently put the spotlight on a less well-known holiday, with the Arabic class and the Muslim Student Alliance’s Eid festival in the library! Eid is the celebration of the end of Ramadan, an important Islamic holiday. During Ramadan, those who take part fast for all hours of the daylight, and only eat and drink once the sun goes down. Eid marks the end of this period, and is a celebration involving food and generally coming together as a group.
Those in Arabic hosted the Eid event during third block in the library, providing a variety of food, options of Islamic dress, Henna, and information about Eid. I asked one member of MSA, Mubashira Shoeb, why the event was significant to her. “Because the event shares information about a really big and important holiday,” she told me. “Eid is not very well known, so making it more accessible for people who don’t know about it is important.” A member of the MSA board expressed similar sentiments. “The Eid festival can help students who celebrate feel less isolated, as others can learn more about it and be more informed.”
Those who came simply to visit and indulge in the festivities also explained why the event was important to them and had a lot of positive things to say about the event. “I’ve gone every single year, I love this event, it’s so much fun!” exclaimed Brynlee Loveridge. “Lunch is accessible, and a very effective way to host the event, and teach about the culture,” commented Addison Brown. “I’ve known Amgad [the Arabic teacher] since 8th grade, and I’ve learned so much about the importance of world language, community, and culture from him and this event,” Christina Sowers said. “It’s so important.”
Mr. Malloy was even seen at the event, speaking to the MSA leadership, trying different foods, and being taught about the importance of Eid. Recognizing holidays that fly under the general public’s radar is incredibly important. Arabic and MSA’s Eid festival taught many students so much about a holiday they had never known about, and helped make students who celebrate Eid feel less isolated. The Eid festival was a huge success, and it’s safe to say students and staff alike look forward to next year’s event as well.
