By: Dr Raheijuddin Sheikh
As it is done elsewhere in the World, Eid ul Fitr is celebrated by the Muslims ibn Manipur, also known as Pangal or Meitei-Pangal on completion of month long fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha are the only two religious festivals of the Muslims. Eid ul Fitr is considered as the smaller Eid celebrated to break the fasting and Eid ul Adha is the larger Eid celebrated to commemorate the holy sacrifice of Ibrahim to fulfil the desire of the Almighty. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to the Almighty, Allah’s command.
Like in any other places, Eid-ul- Fitris celebrated in Manipur in three main aspects – Religious, Economic and Social. Offering two units (rakahs) of Eidul Fitr Pray (namaz), a congregational pray in the morning of the day which is normally performed in open grounds called Eidgah is the main component of the religious aspect. One such Eidgah Park in Sangaiyumpham, Thoubal District, Manipur is noted for its scenic beauty with a big pond inside the campus area, one Madrassa and one Mosque. A community hall is also there just in front of the park. In the early morning, elderly people usually visit the local kabrsthan or the common graveyards where the death bodies of their relatives, friends near and dear ones were buried and offer pray to the creator requesting for the heavenly abode or the wellness of the souls of the deceased ones. Some people recite or read the holy book of Quran in the early morning which is also a part of the religious aspect.
Zakat or Alms Giving to the poor and needy people from the rich people constitutes the economic aspect. There are five pillars of Islam and the Pangals of Manipur also follow the same pillars. Profession of the Faith that is believing in there is no God but Allah, and Prophet Muhammad is the last Messenger; offering pray(namaz) five times a day;pilgrimage to Mecca for Hajj; fasting in the month of Ramadan for Roza; Giving Zakat or Alms to the poor and needy people are the five pillars of Islam. A few days ahead of the Eid ul Fitr, the rich people give donations for Zakat or alms to the poor and needy people. Zakat ul Fitr (also known as Fitrana) is also a charitable donation of food that must be given before the Eid ul Fitr prayer, before the end of the month of Ramadan, for the love of Allah.
From the previous few days ahead of the Eid ul Fitr, the Pangal womenfolk are specially engaged with the very busy schedules in washing clothes, cleaning homes, marketing for feast and purchasing new clothes for children etc. In olden days they also prepare special flours from traditional rice known as ‘Fourel’ or ‘Moirangfou’ rice, grinding them into flours in traditional machines which are not seen now, making a special type of bread fried in oil called ‘Thaudal’. The fried breads are also prepared from the traditional black rice or forbidden rice which is locally known as ‘Chaou Thaudal’. As many as hundreds of such fried bread pieces are prepared in every well to do families. These delicious breads are distributed to the friends, children and many other visitors including those from various other communities starting from the early morning of the Eid and it continues till the next day.
The delicious items, more commonly the meat items, are cooked on the day and offered to the needy people, shared to the elderly people, reached packaged stuffs to the oldest member of the clan, orphans, distributed to those from poor families and friends from other communities. In the evening, many people, mostly the youngsters are seen at the local parks called Eidgah Parks and exchange Eid greetings to each other and eat together appreciating the creator. This constitutes the social aspect of the feast.
Now, with the advancement of Science &Technology, it is considered that there is also some scientific aspects. As the number of days in Arabic months are counted based on the lunar calendar, the day of the Eid-ul Fitr is confirmed only depending upon the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of one day ahead of the feast. In olden times, confirming the day of Eid was sometimesfoundso difficult when there is less or negligible visibility of the crescent moon with the naked eyes. Nowadays, high resolution telescopes and satellites are being used in moon sighting which becomes a scientific aspect of the feast.
Eid ul Fitr is a feast of love and tranquillity. It is the feast of humanity, a message of the universal brotherhood, a platform where people from various communities may join together for a common cause. May this year’s Eid ul Fitr bring the spirit of forgiveness, strength to forget all the conflicts, creating communal harmony, prosperity, joyful and peaceful coexistence of all the communities in Manipur. Vashudheiv Kutumbakkam: One Earth, One Family, One Future!
