Eid al-Fitr – Breaking fast on land and at sea in times of COVID-19

Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is one of the most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting, and begins on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar. The festivities can last up to three days, and include saying prayers, gathering with family, and giving gifts. Mansoor Al Marzooqi, Director Facility Management in Dubai, and Wajid Hussain, Captain of the “Al Nefud”, told us how they are celebrating Eid al-Fitr this year.

“Eid al-Fitr traditionally starts with a morning prayer,” explains Mansoor Al Marzooqi, Director Facility Management in Dubai. “For the prayer, I usually go with my family to our local mosque. However, since all mosques are closed right now, we are praying at home.” Before the prayer, everyone puts on new clothes as a “sign of fresh beginnings”, he explains, adding with a laugh that “you don’t actually see it is new, since all the clothes we wear are white.”

After the prayer, it’s extended family time – as the festival is above all a family celebration. “I have six siblings and they each have kids, so we are quite a big group,” the Dubai native says. “We normally all go to my parents’ house first, as they are the eldest and it is custom that younger visit older relatives.” But this time, he say they will have a “virtual visit” via video chat.

Mansoor Al Marzooqi during last years Eid al-Fitr

Then it is finally time for some food – the feast that everybody has been waiting for during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Al Marzooqi’s family usually prepares a whole goat cooked with rice and served with various side dishes. But since he is celebrating this year only with his immediate family, the number of dishes is also smaller. “Normally everyone brings something of what they have cooked, so you actually end up with a great variety of dishes,” he adds.

Eid al-Fitr on board the “Al Nefud”

Our colleagues at sea also get dressed for the breaking of the fast before praying together, says Captain Ajid Hussain. On top of that, they decorate the ship with lights – garlands with colourful bulbs and lanterns. The breaking of the fast usually starts with dates for breakfast. The banquet on board also includes North African “tagines”, which are stews with chicken, beef or fish slowly cooked with vegetables and various spices in a covered earthenware pot. Other popular dishes include kebabs, the rice dish biryani and haleem, a meat dish that is slowly cooked with wheat or barley. The entire crew eats together, including the non-Muslims. “In the end, the festival is really all about celebrating community. What’s more, celebrations always foster a positive atmosphere, which is important on board,” Captain Hussain says.

Another important part of the festival is sharing with the less fortunate, which is called Sadaqah al-Fitr. “We usually send money to our families, who in turn distribute food so that those who are less well off can also celebrate a little. But that’s a bit more complicated this year,” he adds. To participate a little in festivities at home, the crew members phone their families and relatives.

And to foster a bit of a home-like feeling, the chief cook on the “Al Nefud” has another ace up his sleeve: his “Ka’ak al-Eid”, traditional biscuits filled with pistachios, walnuts or dates. “He always puts a whole lot of effort into this and lovingly decorates them,” Hussain says with a smile.