Eid Celebration Draws North Jersey Muslims
From sports to shopping, henna tattoos to pony rides, families flowed into Ridgefield Park during the day-long event.
The “Eid Extravaganza” was a collaboration between Islamic groups from Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties: the Young Muslims chapter in Teaneck, the Darul Islah mosque where they are based, the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson and the North Hudson Islamic Education Center.
Noureen Qureshi of the Young Muslims said her group has had events in the past that combine education and fun, but Saturday’s teamwork was new. It comes after Eid Al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
“What we started this year is something completely different. We partnered up with other Islamic centers from the northern Jersey area basically to provide the community with a fun Eid celebration where you can meet up with old friends and make new friends,” Qureshi said.
“We’re trying to bring together the youth, bring all the youth together as one,” said Haydar Sungkar of the Islamic Center of Passaic County.
Sungkar spoke about bringing Pakistanis from Teaneck, Egyptians from North Bergen and Palestinians from Paterson together at a single event where they can get to “know each other and support each other and hopefully go on to do other things together.”
Fouzia Elasmai of North Bergen, who is originally from Morocco, said she enjoyed the event, and liked that there was plenty to interest young children and teens. Rabiya Mehr of Bergenfield, who is of Pakistani descent, said “it’s nice to see the community getting together.”
Some 65 vendors sold data-x-items such as jewelry, scarves and colorful cultural clothing such as abayas and kurtis. Some showcased upcoming events such as a convention at the New Brunswick Islamic Center later this month and a conference – Inspiring American Muslim Youth — planned for Secaucus in April of 2015.
Children were able to take part in a number of events from a water-balloon toss to a tug-of-war, a three legged race to a scavenger hunt – the latter carried out by snapping pictures with cell phones.
At the same time, there were sports such as basketball, frisbee and soccer, as well as a row of inflatable bounce houses and games for the youngest in the crowd.
“It’s pretty fun,” said Michelle Rueda, 11, of Hackensack, as Syeda Islam of Paterson began to apply a henna tattoo to her hand.
Islam, a 22-year-old biology major at Montclair State University, applied henna tattoos throughout the event, drawing the intricate and designs and florals free-hand in single and multiple colors.
”I love it. It’s amazing,” said Safia Abulaila of Holmdel as she admired the finished work on her hand and wrist in black, dark red and brown.
“You get used it,” Islam said of her abilities. “I just do it off the top of my head – it just comes.”
Amid the festivities there were signs of more serious matters. The booth for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund had a handwritten sign noting “4,000 more children in need of medical care since July!!!” T-shirts for sale at some stands bore slogans such as “Peace for Gaza,” and “Liberate Palestine.”
An organization called For The Needy and Hungry Foundation showcased photos of the poor in Pakistan – including a tent city and children and adults lining up to be fed – and detailed their efforts to help with food, education, and medical care.
“We came to show the community that there are people out there that need help,” said Khalid Sheikh of Fort Lee, one of the founding members of the two-year-old group.
Source: North Jersey
