On Feb. 1, more than seven million American Muslims celebrated Eid.
This holiday marks the end of the annual pilgrimage season, Haj.
Believers, guided by God’s doctrine, take the trip from all over the world to the Holy City of Mecca to perform a sermon that was started by prophets Abraham, Ishmael and Mohammed.
There are many lessons we can learn from Eid, such as peace, love, equality, jihad and modesty.
First, believers annually renew their faith in the values of harmony and peace among human beings. They calmly say the same prayers and dedicatedly worship the creator of the universe.
It is the nature of the word “Islam,” which literally means “peace” and in Arabic “Salaam” that establishes peaceful mass socialization for worship of the one God.
Second, equality and unity of the human society. Eid gathers people from all races and backgrounds and unites them in God’s love.
“I created you different nations and different communities to get along and know each other” (Holy Koran).
Eid calls us to feel with others, and in Prophet Mohammed’s words, “You are not a true believer until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.”
Third, jihad is what the prophet Mohammed described, “The high level of believing in God is to struggle against our own wrongdoing, envy and impatience, and this is the jihad.”
Mohammed also emphasized that we must seek jihad by performing “self-criticism” and correcting one’s own mistakes before asking others to correct theirs.
Fourth, modesty is a great value that Eid teaches us. God praises those who assimilate the pilgrims’ trip to Mecca with great modesty and respect of others.
“The servants of God are those who walk on earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say ‘Peace.'” (25:63)
“Be moderate in the pace, and lower thy voice.” (31:19)
In the United States, a national stamp has been printed to symbolically celebrate this universal Eid.
People from all races and cultures enjoy the true meanings of this holiday.
It is our responsibility to reach out for others and learn together about ourselves and about others.
Happy Eid, America.
Abdulfattah Yaghi is a graduate student in public policy and administration.