Just like Ramadan, Eid during the pandemic can be quite different. Still, despite everything, the essence of the holiday remains intact. Here is how I spent my Eid.

Eid actually starts after the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan. My family and I start to call our friends and family on that night to wish them Eid Mubarak. 

The morning of Eid, my mom will have the Takirat put on the radio so when we wake up, it’s the first thing we hear. A takbir is the phrase Allah akbar, meaning God is Great. After we wake up, we say Salam to our parents out of respect, have a light breakfast and begin getting ready for Salat ul Eid. 

We always buy new clothes for Eid beforehand, so we get ready in our new clothes to go to Salat ul Eid which is the Eid prayer. Eid prayer is optional but it is sunnat al Rasul which means it was done by Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), so many choose to do it. 

Salat ul Eid is done at the mosques and there are multiple prayers depending on the time that is suitable for you to go. Generally they happen after the morning prayer by an hour and there are a series of prayers until noon. The prayer itself takes five minutes at most.

My family and I always either go to MAS DC Mosque or Dar al Hijrah in Falls Church. When we go to Eid prayer, we see friends and family wishing Happy Eid to each other. It’s a very happy environment. 

After everyone prays Salat ul Eid, goody bags full of candy are given to kids and Eidiya as well. Eidiya is the money given from friends and family to the youth, especially on Eid. Once I was in Jordan for Eid and I got 500 dinar worth of Eidiya, which is around $700. 

Due to Covid, Eid prayer had been spaced out between each person instead of shoulder to shoulder and everyone was wearing masks. The masjid also offers hand sanitizer at the entrance if needed. Still, goody bags and Eidiya are handed to all the kids and everyone is still wishing Eid Mubarak to each other. 

After the prayer, we get in the car and call our family from Jordan to wish them Eid Mubarak. We talk to lots of our family on the phone. It’s a sign of respect to remember them and call them on this day to wish them Eid Mubarak. 

Sometimes, we go with friends to a restaurant either at the Panera near MAS or Tysons. We have lunch and Starbucks and just talk. After lunch, we go to visit our close family friends who give us our Eidiya and Eid presents and have lots of food and dinner. 

My dad goes to hang out with his friends and we stay to watch movies, play board games and talk. Generally, we will leave their house at 3 a.m. since it’s Eid. Then, we all pray our last daily prayer, bid our parents good night and anticipate what will happen for the next two days of Eid Al Fitr.