Eid

difference in a day

I was back on the Corniche this morning at 8AM. As mentioned earlier, the last time I was here, the boardwalk was quiet with a few joggers, a sprinkle of people scattered across the 7Km; serene and a perfect early morning start to my day and to my week. On my way over, I overheard someone greeting another with ‘Eid Mubarek’ … and as it happens when you’re on holiday, I had forgotten the date. I was thinking that Eid was tomorrow! Interesting! I supposed I wouldn’t be able to get my coffee post-walk as most shops would be closed for the festivities. All good. I continued onwards.

As I approached the Corniche, one thing was in direct contrast to the last time I was here: the boardwalk was bursting with activity. It was only 8AM and it looked as if some of the families lounging in lawn chairs across the greenery had been there for a few hours …. possibly from morning prayers onwards, I imagined. Gone was the other day’s meditative solitude brought on by an expanse of empty space, water lapping and morning sun lulling down – this was replaced with those just-mentioned families having tea underneath the spots of shade, little children zipping by on skateboards, young couples sitting along the water chatting, relaxing. Groups and groups of others taking photographs of each other with the ones being snap-shotted posing in front of landmarks. Ex-pats, Qataris. The joggers were still here but interweaved by these simple celebrations. It wasn’t too too full but a nice in between.

It was refreshing to see flashes of community in a place that often feels stifled by class and racial lines. At least for these kms, the latter was felt less. I loved walking upon a group of children wearing party hats being hugged by their elders, watching a small boy riding what looked like a brand new bike, and what looked like to be for the very first time (attentive father close beside), passing others strolling by deeply animated in conversation.

It’s important for me in this relatively new environment to find and enter into these pockets of happiness. For me, religious beliefs took a backseat; instead, I chose to focus on the lovely human moments. And, all of this before 10AM.

After a ‘just-in-case peek’, it turned out that the coffee shop was open! A latte concluded the excursion before my stroll home.

Eid Mubarek

It’s 1AM and officially Eid al-Fitr –  The highly anticipated celebration after Ramadan – a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, contemplating sacrifice, focusing on compassion and giving, and re-examining the elemental aspects of life and of existence. Eid Mubarek to those who celebrate.

This is the first time that I reside in a state where such celebrations are the majority. I have always been curious to experience Eid take over a city as I’ve heard stories of vibrancy, festivities, laughter, fun. I have now received what I have requested. In hindsight, I should have specified that I wished to experience such celebrations with the one person who has shared colourful memories of her past to shape my knowledge. This is not my holiday, but hers.