As an Australian Muslim convert I never had the chance to experience the joy and enthusiasm of Eid al-Fitr (Eid) as a child, but I do now. The eager anticipation built over a month of fasting, worship, and counting down to the blessed celebration is unmistakable.
Marrying into a big, beautiful Lebanese family, my relatively recent memories of Eid conjure up smells of cinnamon tea, buttery date-filled maamoul biscuits and time spent in prayer. Perhaps it’s my late introduction to the Islamic faith or my love of travel, either way I have a deep fascination with how different cultures commemorate this cherished time. Ask any Muslim what their fondest memories of Eid al-Fitr are and I guarantee you their face will light up. They say a joy shared is a joy multiplied, so I want to take you on this journey with me.
I have been fortunate enough to interview five incredible Muslim women — all from different backgrounds — asking them the question: “What does Eid al-Fitr mean to you?”.
The theme running through all the interviewees is that Eid al-Fitr is a deeply cherished celebration that marks the joyful end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and devotion. It is a time of gratitude, forgiveness, and spiritual fulfilment, where voices unite in worship and hearts embrace in love. Families and communities come together to share meals, honour traditions, and create cherished moments filled with happiness and blessings. Above all, Eid is a celebration of togetherness, joy, and the countless rewards of faith.
Here are their stories – each one nostalgic and unique – and I hope that you experience the same delight that I did and feel a touch of the magic that is Eid al-Fitr.
Subhinor Abdulwali
Subhinor, is the owner of the popular hijab clothing brand Kamila Kollection and is an Australian-born Muslim of Uyghur descent. Uyghur people are a Turkic ethnic group hailing from East Turkistan. Their culture is rich in history and strong in Islamic traditions. Despite the current hardships that Uyghurs face, their traditions are strong and religious holidays like Eid are very important to them. Subhinor recalls childhood memories waking up early for Eid, wearing new clothes, visiting the mosque and receiving Eidlik (Eid money gifts) from elders. The scents that remind her the most of Eid are freshly baked naan, roasted lamb, star anise and sangza fried in oil. To Subhinor, Eid al-Fitr “is a time of joy, gratitude and togetherness”.
Mehwesh Ahsan
Mehwesh is a corporate worker by day and blogger by night. She came to Australia seven years ago from her native Pakistan. In Pakistan, Eid celebrations kick off the night before with Chand Raat (The Night of the Moon). When the moon has been sighted, homes get cleaned, decorated and filled with delicious food. Women apply henna designs to their hands and wake up early on the morning of Eid to adorn themselves in traditional garments of shalwar kameez. They pray together, give charity, visit the graves of those departed and come home to make the traditional Eid sweet, Sheer Khurma. The fragrant notes of rosewater, combined with the excitement in the air and jingle of bangles are all beautiful reminders of Eid. Whilst she misses the energy of Pakistan, she keeps the traditions alive within her home and “creates her own pocket of Eid joy” wherever she goes.
Rouba Shahin
Rouba is a passionate home cook and Middle Eastern food specialist. She lives with her family in Adelaide but grew up in a small village outside Tripoli. Her upbringing deeply influenced her love of food and family traditions.
In Lebanon Eid is a big deal, with the whole community coming together to celebrate the occasion. She has fond memories of eating mamoul, visiting family and taking turns riding a unique wooden swing. Rouba married into an Australian-born Palestinian family where the celebration of Eid al-Fitr was somewhat more subdued. Determined to revive the joy and celebration she grew up with, she brought her Lebanese influence and child-like enthusiasm on board, making the occasion special for her sons. Her sons are now grown but the joy and celebration of Eid is still an integral part of their family life. As with most cultures, they wear new clothes, give money to the children and enjoy shared meals with family. Food, faith and family remain strong elements of her life and to Rouba, “Eid al-Fitr is a time for immense joy and togetherness.”
Sarah Maree Cameron
Growing up in a multicultural area of Melbourne, Sarah was always inquisitive about other cultures and religions. Whilst her conversion to Islam was a gradual process “there were clear moments [on her journey] where she knew she was on the right path.” Marrying into an Ethiopian family, Sarah and her husband Yonis celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their family and community. Keeping the traditions alive, the men and women wear jalabiya and enjoy spicy stews of meat or legumes served on injera, a spongey bread made from Teff. Coffee (bun) is also a big part of Ethiopian culture and this is served in a ceremonial manner. The love that Sarah has for Eid al-Fitr shines through in her face and words. She has wholeheartedly embraced these Ethiopian traditions and cherishes the time spent celebrating with her new family.
Nora Amath
Dr Nora Amath lives in Brisbane but was born in Vietnam, raised in the United States and is an Indigenous Cham. Nora holds a PhD in Sociology of Religion and is the executive director of Islamophobia Register Australia. Growing up, Nora had specific roles to play in preparing for the day ahead, especially as as the eldest of her siblings. She was entrusted to gather the family’s finest clothing awaiting the meticulous hands of her father to press and iron them with love and precision. Eid al-Fitr still holds a special place in Nora’s heart. She stays awake after Fajr, dresses in her finest garments and makes her way with her family to the communal Eid prayer. After the prayer and filled with emotion and gratitude, she never fails to phone her parents to seek their forgiveness and hold onto a tradition that distance cannot sever. Returning home, she prepares a much cherished family dish of glutinous sticky rice, fragrant with roasted coconut and caramelised to perfection. The rest of the day is spent opening her house up to family and friends before moving from house to house to share meals, laughter and memories.
Dr Nora Amath has captured what the essence of Eid al-Fitr is to her, and the stories of shared cultures in the following words: Eid al-Fitr is “a celebration of togetherness, a reunion of souls drawn near by love and tradition. A day of forgiveness, where past burdens are lifted with a single embrace, where connection is rekindled in whispered prayers and outstretched hands. Eid is love in its purest form—a love that fills the air, that lingers in the sweetness of shared meals and the sparkle of joyful eyes. A day of boundless joy, of countless blessings, of deep and unwavering gratitude. In a nutshell, Eid is not just a day—it is a feeling, a gathering of joy, a celebration of connection. It is the love we wear, the prayers we share, the people who make it whole”.
