Eid ul Fitr
Eid ul Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the world as a festive conclusion to the month of Ramadan. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk every day in Ramadan. This is an act of submission to God. Eid ul Fitr translates to “Holiday of Breaking the Fast” because it is the first time that they eat during the day in the month. Unlike the United States, muslims follow the lunar calendar, which causes the date of the holiday to change from year to year. This year, the holiday will be celebrated on April 11, 2024. Muslims all over the world will wake up that morning and get dressed in their best outfits before going to their mosques for a special prayer. After the prayer, people typically spend time with family and friends. On Eid day, one of the most important traditions is to have lots of delicious food. After the long month of fasting, Muslims spend the day eating some of their favorite food such as samosas, chicken and rice, and other cultural dishes.
Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikh people on April thirteenth or fourteenth every year. Before it became a Sikh holiday, it was a harvest festival in Punjab, a state of northern India. In the year 1699, Guru Gobind Singh chose this festival to establish the Khalsa, or the group of Sikh people that have been baptized. The story is that Singh brought out a large sword in the festival and said that anyone who would be willing to give their life for Sikhism should enter the tent with him alone. Five men entered the tent with him, and shortly after Singh returned alone with the sword bloodied. People became worried about the men’s fate, but they exited the tent unharmed. They were named the Panj Piare (Beloved Five) and became the first members of the Khalsa. Every year since, Sikhs visit the decorated Gurdwaras (places of worship). There are typically processions down the streets called nagar kirtans. Nagar means town and kirtan is the singing about holy book in the Sikh religion, Guru Granth Sahib. On the day of Vaisakhi people also celebrate by singing, listening to music, and chanting hymns. Many people also choose to be baptized on this holiday because of its history.
