Yemeni Americans in Hamtramck celebrate Eid

DEARBORN — Eid el-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is one of the most festive times for Muslims across the world. The holiday’s bliss was tainted by the sadness of the violence and terror that have targeted Muslims in the last days of the Holy Month.

Locally, children sported new outfits, restaurants filled up with diners and mosques held several Eid prayers to accommodate worshippers.

But the happiness was incomplete.

Days before Eid, a suicide bomber attacked the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Islam’s second holiest site. ISIS also attacked a busy Baghdad road, murdering 250. Istanbul, Turkey; Qaa, Lebanon and Dhaka, Bangladesh were also targeted by the terrorists.

“We don’t want the Eid; we want justice for Karrada,” chanted dozens of Iraqi Americans, referring to the Baghdad neighborhood stricken by ISIS.

The demonstrators gathered in front of the Karbala Center in Dearborn on Wednesday to denounce terror.

Although demonstrators were mourning the victims, their gathering turned festive as they repeated victory slogans in support of the Iraqi army.

“ISIS will disappear with its mercenaries. Mosul (will be liberated) after Fallujah,” they chanted as they danced.

Mohamad Alhamdani said the happiness of Eid is mixed with sadness because of the events in the Muslim world.

“There is a state of mourning, which has affected our celebration of Eid,” he said. 

Mohamad Abdelnabby, a middle-aged man who was shopping for sweets at Shatila Bakery, echoed the same sentiments.

He said he stayed home with his family during Eid because it was hard to celebrate with all the wars and attacks that are ravaging the Arab World.

“It doesn’t feel like Eid, not like the previous years,” Abdelnabby said. “The joy feels damaged. What happens there (in the Middle East) affects society here.”

But Safaa Jaber, who was celebrating Eid with her children at the Islamic Center of America, said kids have a right to feel the delight of the holiday.

“We feel the pain for what is happening to Muslims around the world,” she said. “But the children, they should be able to celebrate.”

Mohamad Ibrahim, who was also at the ICA, said local Muslims should not let the suffering in the Middle East stop them from enjoying Eid.

ICA Chairman Jim Safiedine said the center hosted close to 2,000 for Eid festivities that included children’s activities after the Eid prayer.

“It was a beautiful celebration,” he said.

The center was decorated for the holiday and kids stood in line to take pictures in a photo booth, as giant screens played Islamic-themed cartoons.

The ICA chairman called on Arab and Muslim Americans to reject sectarianism and factionalism.

“My message to the community is to be united and get involved,” Safiedine said. “At the center, we do all we can to make sure that our kids are happy.”

Hundreds gathered for Eid prayer at the Hamtramck Memorial Park. The ritual was followed by a festival that attracted dozens of families who brought their children to partake of the joyous atmosphere.

Young men dressed in traditional Yemeni outfits, which include a dishdasha, turban, blazer and a colorful scarf wrapped as a belt around the waist.

Abdulaziz Obeid, who arrived to the United States five months ago, was homesick. He said the festival makes him happy, but he still misses his friend and family back home, which he had to leave because of the war.

“We know the extent of the pain and sorrow that fill the hearts of Muslims because of what’s happening in our home countries,” said Hamtramck Imam Abdul Razzaq al-Said. “But we have been adamant on meeting to perform the Eid rituals to continue this annual tradition that we have honored for many years. This is a day that children anticipate all year long. We shouldn’t deprive them of this opportunity.” 

Children line up to take a photo with a giant Eid stamp at the Islamic Center of America