Daughter has Reverted to Islam and wants to celebrate EID - Clueless please help

[Frenchy163]

She’s home from Uni and would like to celebrate EID, (we live in a really white area, the closest authentic restaurant is 40 miles away) I’ve done a google search and there’s so much choice I’m not sure where to begin.

Could anyone help me please, are there some strict No’s as to what I shouldn’t cook (I know about Pork) is there anything that absolutely signifies EID (apologies if that isn’t the right terminology) that I should absolutely make?

If anyone has a little meal plan to share that would be awesome please.

Thanks in advance

Presumably OP was hoping for advice on food from Muslims, and therefore used “revert” in the thread as a mark of respect for the terminology/beliefs of her target audience?

When Muslims say revert, they mean you have gone back to how you were meant to be from birth ie connected to God in the Muslim way. So if someone's converted, then you were always meant to follow that path hence reverted.

Each culture celebrates Eid in their own way so middle eastern Muslims would be different to Bangladeshi Muslims so there's no right or wrong way. Just lots of nice food and time spent with friends and family. Kids usually get gifts and money.

If you go to your local supermarket you will probably find some halal meats as standard stock it will be marked up as halal but there are also specific brands such as Shazans who specialize in this.

Interesting discussion on the topic here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/5032262-jesus-was-muslim-could-some-one-explain-this-to-me?page=8&reply=134212268

Aldi has some recipes. https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/recipes/all-recipes/ramadan-and-eid-recipes They also tend to stock dates and had some turkish delight the other day.

A packet of filo pastry will allow you to make all sorts of things.

Really? In that case I respectfully contend that your nightmares are somewhat lacking in scope.

Really?

I mean my worst nightmare would be my nephew (who lives with me) becoming a serial killer, or a rapist, or being murdered or kidnapped or assaulted.

Him becoming Muslim cannot possible be comparable with actual "worst nightmares" that can happen to children

@Frenchy163 i applaud your reaction to some of those comments!

That's a lot of presuming! I don't think Muslims would have been put off replying if she'd used the word convert nor would they have corrected her. It's only a word used by Muslims.

What an interesting crowd this thread has attracted! Still so many ignorant people out there.
What food has she been eating since being home to break her fast?
What is her plan for the day? Will you all be out at work and she will be at home alone assuming its on the Tuesday/Wednesday?

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Hi @Frenchy163 and Assalamu alaikum.

Your daughter is fortunate to have such a supportive mum and that will mean a lot to her. I think whatever you do will be appreciated, as it's clear how much you love her.

The two Eids are times of great celebrations, and people will develop their own traditions for those, just as for other faiths' celebrations.

There aren't many hard and fast rules about what to do. Whatever you and she would like to do, enjoy it! We usually include a walk, a visit to the mosque, lunch out, present-opening, visiting family, etc.

Diet-wise, halal meat is important, as is no alcohol - sometimes food can contain small amounts of animal products like gelatine or of alcohol, so it can be important to check labels! Generally speaking, if something's marked as suitable for vegetarians and doesn't contain alcohol, it's probably fine.

If your daughter's going to be fasting while with you, she might like some quick and easy food for iftar (breaking her fast) and for suhoor (the meal before fasting). You and she could try batch cooking something like aloo ki tikki (spicy potato cakes), they're a favourite here! Dates are also a good choice, with significance in Islam as well. Drinking plenty of water is important too, and a nice water bottle can double as a small gift if you're wanting to.

It would have meant the world to me if my mother had come to mosque with me for an event like Eid. That might be something your daughter might like too?

Do you have a mosque or Islamic centre near you? If so, you could ask if she'd like to go for Eid prayers. If you felt unsure about what to do/wear/etc, you could probably contact the mosque and ask for advice - for example, some places will have separate entrances for men and women while others won't. Generally speaking, dress code is pretty much whatever you want from jeans through to long dresses, just covering arms and legs, and a lot of people will bring a scarf or hat to cover their head in the prayer hall. One thing to bear in mind, though, is that people don't wear shoes in the main prayer halls - if you'd be uncomfortable in bare feet, remember socks or tights!

Eid Mubarak to you and your daughter when it comes! Have a great day!

I agree with you. I think it’s an odd and somewhat arrogant attitude.
I have heard about it before, and there was a thread here not long ago about how (some?) Muslims believe Jesus was Muslim too. I’m agnostic fwiw.

I think you need to tread carefully with this OP, ask your DD for help putting together a celebration together and whilst you are meal planning and preparing/cooking and then eating you can have a chat with her , encourage her to talk about it her new faith and what it is bringing to her life, and let her know that she is free to practice her religion in your house /in front of you.

It’s probably also worth pointing out to her that she doesn’t need to adopt a Middle Eastern lifestyle, she can be British and Muslim.

I grew up with access to information about all religions and was encouraged to find my own faith , and whilst I am no fan of Islam (I won’t get into on this thread because that wasn’t what you were asking) I think she needs to feel that you are a supportive of her and her choices even if it’s not what you believe.

I wonder what the responses would have been if someone asked for ideas of what to make for Christmas dinner because they were a Hindu/Muslim…. Family with a Christian staying on Christmas day. Im pretty sure it would have focused on the actual question rather than opinions on religion.

What an amazing mum you are OP.

Basic rules are:- NO pork, no Alcohol. Make sure any meat you do get is halal- there'll be a local halal butcher around or some big tesco/ asda sainsburys do Halal meat.

Eid is celebrated by being with those you love - so everything else like the types of food served comes down to cultural things. So you could just cook what normal dishes you cook from your culture when there's a special dinner at home but making the basic changes so it complies with the above guidance.

Also traditionally you would have something sweet first thing in the morning before going to mosque for eid prayers. This can be anything sweet - but in certain cultures they'll do certain dishes. So go with your culture unless you fancy experimenting of course. Kheer, seviyan are some dishes.

Maybe a small Eid gift.

I'll think she'll be happy with you just having thought to make it special for her so don't fret to much .

I'd get her veggie food, but I wouldnt be helping her with a religion i knew nothing about. She can find out for herself through her friends and the Internet.

The 0p isn't she's making ONE meal.

What is a 'closest authentic restaurant'? Even KFC is halal where I live.

Quite .

My latest, favourite meal is lamb, which has been marinated at least overnight, baked or BBQ'd till just cooked, then served in wraps. It tastes just like a very posh kebab, but 100x better.

Larger supermarkets sell halal meat, or google your nearest butchers that does. I use a leg of lamb I've deboned, but you could use a smaller cut.
Mix several chopped garlic gloves, lemon rind and juice, olive oil, oregeno/thyme, pepper. Mix the marinade and put it and the lamb into a freezer bag at least overnight in the fridge.

Aldi have started selling these wraps which are moist and delicious.https://riyasoriginal.com/product/fresh-handmade-garlic-coriander-naan/

I served the lamb on the wrap with tomato, lettuce, onion, homous and garlic dressing.

You could have cous cous or savoury rice on the side too.

OP doesn't seem to know much about religion and other cultures. No worries, that's what we're here for!
OP you do realise that even Christians in the Middle East have Middle Eastern food for dinner? They don't all have a roast. Even European countries differ in their Christmas traditions.

With that in mind, there's no such thing as 'authentic' food and indeed it would be a bit difficult for you to buy a load of spices etc for something you're not going to make very regularly.

I'm from a South-East Asian Muslim country and it's all our local food. Just halal. And lots and lots of it! I'm not Muslim but have a lot of Muslim family, for us breaking of the fast is a family thing. Usually, if people can't get home for the main meal they have a sip of water + dates to break their fast.

Of course British Muslims tend to be of non-British ethnicity and so make their 'home' food, so if you followed it would be a roast (or whatever your own food is I don't know where you're from). Make whatever she likes, if you want to try any Indian/Persian/whatever cuisine plenty of recipes on the internet. Just make sure it's halal as PP said.

One converts to a new religion. Any religion. One reverts when they left the religion and have decided to rejoin the faith. Any faith.

There are some Muslims who believe we all start out in the faith so anyone choosing to join the faith later are reverting to Islam. But most would say convert if it was someone of a different religion changing

The believe all children are born to Islam and those who are not Muslim have strayed from the path. Then if you convert to Islam, you are considered Reverted.