Thousands of South Bay residents gathered at the Santa Clara
County Fairgrounds on Super Bowl Sunday, but it wasn’t to watch the
game on a jumbo television screen or to root on their favorite
team. It was to celebrate an important Islamic holiday.
Thousands of South Bay residents gathered at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Super Bowl Sunday, but it wasn’t to watch the game on a jumbo television screen or to root on their favorite team. It was to celebrate an important Islamic holiday.
Eid-ul Adha comes on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
“It is time for reflection on the past year and enjoying all that Allah has given us, ” said Muhammad Janjua, president of the South Bay Islamic Center, sponsor of the event.
The month of Dhul-Hijjah, which began on Jan. 23, is when millions of Muslims from around the world journey to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform their obligatory Hajj (pilgrimage). The Eid prayers, which are held on the last day of the pilgrimage, are the same in San Jose as those said by the pilgrims as they complete their pilgrimage.
The theme of the day is a commemoration of the story in Genesis in which Abraham, acting in obedience to God, prepares to sacrifice his son. On God’s command, a lamb was sacrificed instead, so the sacrifice of a lamb or goat is an important part of the festival.
Many families left the celebration early so they could go to local farms or ranches to personally sacrifice an animal in memory of the events recorded. Traditionally, the meat of the butchered animal is divided into three portions: one-third for the family to eat, one-third for friends, and the remainder given to the needy.
The day consisted of many events. Foremost were four prayer services led by Tahir Anwar, director of religious services for SBIC. In his sermon the imam cautioned participants that just as Abraham’s faith was being tested thousands of years ago, the faith of people today is being tested as they are asked to be obedient to Allah’s commands.
The Eid celebration is always a family occasion. Food booths ringed the pavilion hall with ethnic cuisine like samosa, birganik and halal gyros being served next to American staples like Fruit Rollups, M&M’s, and soda. Other booths provided balloons twisted in various shapes and face-painting.
Outside children could enjoy a jump-house, pony rides, petting zoo, and various amusement park-style rides. A stage featured many different entertainments: puppets, ventriloquist, an illusionist, juggling, and trained birds.
A number of exhibits provided information and shopping opportunities to the gathered community: voter registration, unique jewelry, traditional clothing, music cd’s, prayer rugs, prayer clocks, and books on Islam and the Qu’ran in various languages.
Two of the booths had particularly useful information:
• Guidance Financial Group addressed the topic of home ownership, which can be problematic for Muslims because the Qu’ran forbids paying of interest. A “Shia-Compliant Solution” allows money to be borrowed without traditional interest payments.
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations distributed several helpful pamphlets for educators, employers, and law enforcement personnel. For example, one booklet offered practical suggestions to protect the religious rights of Muslim students in public schools through accommodations like school lunches (labeling clearly pork products), physical education classes (more modest uniforms) and scheduling (avoiding major tests during religious holidays).
Islam is the second-most practiced religion on earth sharing many traditions and beliefs with both Christianity and Judaism. Since 9/11, however, Muslims have suffered much unwarranted suspicion and persecution due to unfortunate stereotypes. For more information check the Internet at www.sbia.net.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
