Eid Al-Fitr in Washington DC

Washington, DC (8/8/2013) - An valuable experience that i will never forget in my life . The first time i set foot in the united states , a country with a huge curved wide variety of cultures , people and religions . I am happy to set foot in the united states because i probably would not have a chance like this again . But i am still sad when i leave home for a student exchange program for 1 year from the U.S. State department . I was sad because i could not celebrate eid with family at home . The first time i celebrate eid with 400 other yes participants from different countries and with different religions.

On august 8, 2013 , exactly where the feast of eid al-fitr in the united states , we are following the arrival orientation at the hilton washington dc . It feels very happy to be able finish for 1 month of ramadan fasting and celebrate eid in a different place with a different atmosphere . Morning at 08.00 local time we started to get out of their rooms and doing breakfast at the hilton hotel ballroom . The morning breakfast was bread , turkey meat and cereals , but we all seemed to enjoy the breakfast .

At 09.30 on the implementation committee announced us the eid prayers for the muslim. Our special guest arrival will lead the eid prayer on the occasion of imam bashar arafat from baltimore . Imam bashar explain little bit related procedures for eid prayers and the muslim immediately invited us to pray eid . After that we went straight to the hall which is where we will perform eid prayers . Because the hall is rather small , finally a place between women and men were separated .

At 9:45 pm we were all assembled and ready to perform their prayers eid . We all carry a takbir led by priests bashar arafat . All followed and echoed takbeer with serene and humility . Seemed to echo the takbir electrifying the room to deliver the prayer and praising allah . Our hearts were shaking as we imagine how allah has granted various favors to us all .

Eid prayer begins at 10:00 . Led by imam bashar arafat , all seem to follow eid prayer humility . Begins with a letter and followed by letters al-fatihah al -'ala and the second rakaat al-ghasiyah letter further adds emotion and embarrassment for power and majesty of god almighty . After the prayer finished imam bashar proceed with a brief sermon as a complement eid prayer .

In the sermon of imam bashar advised that we as a nation should uphold the ambassador of good behavior and keep the peace and inter-religious harmony . Tolerance in religion must be upheld as god has instructed in al - quran . Bashar besides imam also advised that we as muslims should not omit our identity and wishes to do anarchists . Because the real islam is rahmatan lil alamin . At the end of bashar priest prayed that this life will walk in peace and harmony , there is no war , bashar priest also prayed that the unrest in various places coming to an end and quickly resolved .

After the eid prayers , we all shook hands and apologized to each other and greet each acquaintance . After that we took a picture together imam bashar arafat and chatted while the road to the hall . Our last session presentation one of imam assad about tolerance in social life . After that we were served a variety of food and the most special of the day was nasi briyani . All seemed happy to celebrate eid al-fitr both muslims and non-muslims.