Non Muslims celebrating Eid al Fitr

[Madridinmymemories]

I live in a very diverse area. This year and last I've noticed a huge increase in my white hippie mum mates attending Eid al Fitr (end of the Eid fasting) celebrations. Down the road from us they get big tables out and shut the road off, it looks a great street party!
My issue is that we (Non Muslims) haven't partaken in Ramadan so why should we get to celebrate the feast bit? If we were really into celebrating every cultural occasion then wouldn't we do the fasting bit as well?

I can't think of an equivalent for another faith joining in on our festivities without doing the religious bit first. Most people eat Easter eggs without having given anything up for lent. Most people nowadays just enjoy the present and food bit of Christmas without thinking too much about Jesus being born.
Am I just being grumpy? I think if I was Muslim I would find non Muslims just joining in the feast bit kind of strange.

Growing up my dad was friends with a Muslim guy who also worked at the mosque. He used to invite us to the Eid celebrations and his family used to come over to us at Christmas. It was proper multiculturalism, different faiths celebrating together and absolutely wonderful.

Depends how the muslims putting on the celebration view it. If they're deeply religious and would be offended then yes you shouldn't join in. Conversely lots of Muslims are happy to make Eid a community event and include non-muslims (just as at Easter and Christmas) in which case what's the problem?

I love it. I'm in a cul-de-sac and two of my neighbours are Muslim families who celebrate. One family has twin girls and I always look forward to seeing them dressed up as they wear the most gorgeous celebration clothes.

I like seeing all the lights on the houses, the families and friends congregated together in the street as they prepare to set off somewhere. And although it's a celebration that I'm not part of, they are very welcoming and happy when you wish them Eid Mubarak.

I don't think it is a problem. Lots of people partake in pick and mix religion. In fact, I would say that people always have, even in ancient times.

Give your head a wobble. What does it matter? People celebrating together peacefully is a great thing .

I can't see how it would be offensive. Surely if its a big street party which might mean road closures or parking changes it is good manners to ensure neighbours are invited as it may effect them. And I think most Muslims can see that as something to invite others too a party might get more takers than saying come fast for 18 hours with us

At my workplace we’ve been invited to celebrate Eid, and encouraged to join in with the ‘giving to charity’ part by bringing in stuff to donate to a local food bank.

I think it’s wonderful to explore another culture plus any excuse for a party

Also it’s breaking down barriers - more people will equate “Muslim” with “Mohammed and Fatima up the road who made those amazing pastries” rather than “potential terrorist until proven otherwise”. Sad that it needs to happen, but there you are.

It kinda sounds like you're determined to be on the outside of this one op. Don't know why, life is more fun if you take part in celebrations and festivities I must say.

Assuming this isn't a goady thread, If you aren't Muslim, it seems a bit rich to suggest that Muslim's shouldn't be inclusive and celebrate with wider friends and family. It really isn't for you to decide.

We were invited and went to a Eid celebration, it was wonderful. Everyone coming together with lots of laughter and amazing food.
It's about inclusion, friendship and respect - all key parts of Islam.
Don't overthink, anything that breaks down barriers and aids understanding is a good thing. If people are kind enough to invite me for food then I'm in.
I'm not religious at all and I do view it as similar to Christmas, Easter etc. And most of our friends who are Muslim join in those celebrations too, they all come to the local Christmas fayre etc.
I love living in a multi cultural area.

In my experience it’s not dissimilar to Christmas in that those celebrating want to spread the joy. They’re generally really welcoming. It’s like a birthday party, its not your birthday but you join the celebrations.

White, hippy mum mates

Most my Muslim friends celebrate Christmas, how is this not the same? We go to Diwali every year and I have an eid invite tonight (to a community event)

People celebrating together is surely a positive thing.

Most of the muslims I know join in with Christmas celebrations- eg. cards, presents and Christmas work do's.

A vast number of people with no faith partake in Christmas celebrations.

I’m not Muslim, no one at my work is Muslim, but DP is Muslim and since he’s gone home for Eid I decided to do a load of baking for work in celebration. My DP was really touched by this even tho he’s not even going to get to eat anything. I live somewhere with almost no Muslim demographic and lots of misunderstandings so we take any opportunity we can to help educate and if this can be in the form of baked goods, even better!

Struggling to see what your problem is? I think it's no different to people 'celebrating' Christmas and Easter, and there is no need to push deeper division between different cultures and religions when many have worked so hard to create at atmosphere of inclusion.

Non Muslims having their own Eid celebration might be a bit strange. I suppose. But Muslims inviting non Muslim friends and neighbours is quite a usual thing.

It’s like a birthday party, its not your birthday but you join the celebrations.

Hadn’t rtft when I posted my first post but I love this description!

The vast majority of people who celebrate Easter (myself included) did not observe any part of Lent, apart from Shrove Tuesday and Good Friday.

Funny how we're all very keen to partake in food-based festivals

But it's a celebration I'm on the outside of.

So? You weren’t invited to my birthday party because I don’t know you from Adam.

If you want to be on the ‘inside’ next year, make like a “white hippy mum” and make some Muslim friends.

I think it's great and it goes a long way to break down worries and to build community links. It's open and awareness is good for mutual acceptance.

Look I'm all for inclusivity. I moved to the inner city for a reason, that reason being that I don't want my kids to grow up in a bubble. I have an asylum seeker father who doesn't speak any English.
Throughout history the British establishment have treated other cultures with contempt. Islamaphobia is still rampant. I was trying to imagine how I would feel if people who didn't follow my faith, wanted to join in with the 'fun bit' of my faith/culture.
I have this same feeling with a lot of things, carnival, pride. Rich, white kids from affluent parts of Bristol flock down to St Paul's for the carnival but they don't give a shit about the issues affecting that area. Where are they when the police are tasering an innocent Rasta man in his seventies for the fourth time in five years? I didn't see many of them protesting outside the court when the policewoman got away with it.
I'm hoping that this is different. I'm hoping that this is Non muslins genuinely trying to understand another culture.

Speaking as a Muslim I think it's incredibly wonderful that non- Muslims are joining in with their Muslim neighbours and friends to celebrate Eid. It's a time of celebration and brings everyone together.