The Muslims in Guyana are always very excited to celebrate the festival of Eid al-Fitr. It is a national holiday that non-Muslims citizens (Hindus and Christians) can join in and celebrate as well. On the morning of Eid, families dressed in their best gather at mosques for the Eid prayer. Everyone greets each other with “Eid Mubarak”. Many poor people from all religions line the street leading to the mosque to receive donations which is a yearly practice in Guyana. 

After Eid prayer, each household prepares a traditional sweet called “meethi seviyan” which is made from vermicelli that is cooked in milk, with sugar, raisins and spices. Community members, mostly men, visit each Muslim’s home and share their sweets. Families make packages of sweets and distribute them to the neighbors who are mostly Hindu and few Christians. Families spend the rest of the day visiting friends and families and give presents while most children receive Eid money. Eid al-Fitr is a festival that everyone is anxiously waiting to celebrate.

Compose by Filiz Arslan