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DC 37 joins Eid celebration at City Hall

Some 400 Muslim-American civil servants packed the Council Chambers at City Hall Oct. 30 to celebrate the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. “These occasions are often the first time that people come to City Hall,” said City Council member John C. Liu in his welcoming remarks. “We are proud to be able to welcome everyone and take part in this celebration of Eid al-Fitr.”

Ahmed Shakir, secretary of Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375, was part of the host committee for the celebration, and DC 37 was represented at the event by Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin, who is also the president of Accountants, Statisticians and Actuaries Local 1407. The many distinguished guests at the celebration, which was sponsored by Liu, Council member Robert Jackson and Speaker Christine Quinn, included diplomatic representatives from Malaysia, Bangladesh, Lebanon and Indonesia.

Often shortened to just Eid, the holiday marks the end of the sacred month of Ramadan, when Muslims all over the world fast during daylight. The Eid celebration lasts for three days and is as important to the Muslim world as Christmas is for Christians.

“Eid is a time to come together as a community and renew friendship and family ties,” said Shakir. “For all Muslims in the world, this is also a time of peace, prayers and charity.”

The City Hall Eid festivities also included a dance performance, sacred Islamic singing called nasheed and a brief talk on the significance of Ramadan by Sheik Gauher Ahmed. “It is a month of sacrifice,” said the Imam of Masjed Noor Al-Islam. The celebration ended with the sharing of traditional sweets to end the fast.