Before I came to Australia, I thought I would be spending Ramadan alone and Eid too. But one of my good South African friends introduced me to one of his who lives in Sydney and I ended up having great iftars* during the holy month and the best Eid ever!
First we went to Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. Since the sermon was in Turkish I didn’t understand much except ‘prayer’, ‘paradise’ and ‘hell’… which is the essence of any sermon I guess. But at least this Ottoman-style mosque was stunning as you can see :
Yes that’s in Australia!
After prayer, I spend the day with my friend’s family and I have to say that was the best Eid ever. The whole package : zillion ‘Eid Mubarak!’ and ‘Salam 3aleykum’, kids running around, traditional clothes, laughter and of course food, food and food! Biryani, burfi, cupcakes, zelebia and more… a tasty melting-pot of cuisines.
It was the first time I actually eat in a khaymat-Ramadan (Ramadan tent). Think you have to come to Australia for that!
It was my biggest Eid celebration as well (we were around 40 people), the most traditional (because of food and clothes) and the most Indian (well… South African Indian) too.
To sum up I had a great day somewhere between an episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie and a Bollywood movie. Many thanks to those who made it happen. May God accept our fast and prayers. Amen!
*Iftars : Dinners during the holy month of Ramadan.
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