Eid’l Fitr marks the end of our fast for the Holy Month of Ramadan, and we celebrate the coming of the new moon which marks the renewal of our strength and spirit. We rejoice in our shared renewal as a community bound by faith, as we submit to the will and kindness of Allah.
The lives we lead as Muslims are not lives of convenience, with our faith constantly tested by fear and hunger, the loss of our livelihood and life itself. Even as brothers and sisters, we also constantly test each other’s patience as we struggle with our flaws and our failures. But it is also through these struggles that we affirm our faith, by making the difficult and necessary choices at every crossroad we find ourselves in.
While we are no strangers to struggle, this year’s Ramadan came with a struggle that was once unknown to us. Covid-19 forced us into dark corners, as the distances we wished to bridge became difficult to cross, and the dangers of this disease challenged our dedication to be with each other in prayer.
But it is health and healing that Ramadan brings to our people, regardless of the circumstances. It is our faith made manifest during Ramadan that has always pushed us to go beyond ourselves, as we nourish the bonds we have with one another. Our faith reminds us that we are not given burdens we cannot bear, as we learn to embrace our weaknesses while sharing our strengths with one another.
Ramadan reminds us what it means to belong to a community bound by faith, as we work together to change not only our circumstances but also ourselves. As the Holy Month ends, may we always look towards each other with kindness, treat each other with generosity, and be patient with each other as we face life’s challenges together.
Taqabbalallâhu minnà wa minkum.
Eid Mubarak!
