From us to you: A joyful celebration

With Eid around the corner universities, students and parents are planning for this sacred holiday. Eid Al Fitr (the festival of the breaking of the fast) a three-day holiday in Islam marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims are encouraged to wear their best clothes to celebrate Eid and attend the Eid prayers. Traditionally the youngsters await their Eid money or gift that they receive from their parents, family and close relatives after wishing them Eid Mubarak.

People usually prepare for the Eid celebrations soon after it is announced. Kids shop for the best clothes and lovingly keep them ready a night before. Adults purchase Eid sweets and food to serve on the first day of Eid; at the same time they happily call relatives, family and close friends to greet them on this occasion.

On the first day of Eid people head to the mosque to attend the prayers followed by a familial gathering for breakfast. Afterwards, youngsters and the elderly wear their best clothes and visit the eldest member of the family. They happily greet each other and gather for a feast prepared specifically for the day.

This is how most people celebrate Eid. As the word indicates, Eid is all about love, care, joy, praying to God and caring for others, especially for the poor.

That is why children wearing their new outfits and happily celebrating Eid should know that there are other children who are not able to get or receive anything during Eid. They don't even have the pleasure of enjoying what it has to offer, from entertainment, leisure and fun activities.

With a small gesture you can put a smile on the faces of many less fortunate kids. It won't require much effort from us to lend a helping hand, and what better occasion than Eid for this; the time when everyone should enjoy themselves and feel its bliss and blessings upon them.

Always remember that one small gesture can change the life of a miserable person. And for this deed you might remain a pleasant memory and life-changer for this person.

This is why we have decided in this issue to highlight charity, social work and to draw your attention to the fact that aiding and supporting others, whether morally, physically or psychologically, and whether in small or big ways, would help you and others a lot in so many respects. Hence, I hope that we all learn something during this blessed season and from this small gesture we have made.