Wednesday, Oct 16, 2013
Dubai: For Filipina expatriate Alia Benedicto, celebrating the joyous occasion of the first day of Eid Al Adha would not be complete without her fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
Benedicto, 34, an accounts assistant who embraced Islam in Dubai in 1997, said it has become part of their family tradition to celebrate the Eid holidays with the Filipino Muslim community at the Islamic centre where they regularly study the Quran.
“After performing the Eid prayers early in the morning on the first day of Eid, we make it a point to go to the Islamic centre where a community celebration is being held. But the day won’t just be about festivities, it’s also packed with a lecture on Islam and a Quran recital contest for children,” Benedicto told Gulf News.
Benedicto said she and her family put a premium on studying the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), especially during Eid holidays.
“Studying the Quran together is important for us as a family. And exposing our children to the Holy Word while they are still young is crucial so they could develop that heart and habit to study it as they grow older,” the mother of four said.
She said she also takes to heart the message of Eid Al Adha which in essence is a festival of sacrifice. She makes sure to teach her kids the importance of self sacrifice as well.
Since embracing Islam, Benedicto said she has stopped celebrating all other occasions, even birthdays, based on the teachings of Islam. This in itself makes every Eid holiday special for the family as it is their biggest celebration for the year.
“We also call our loved ones and friends here and back home to greet them a happy Eid, that’s already part of our tradition. After we spend the first day enriching our faith, we spend the second day solely with the family,” Benedicto said.
By Janice Ponce de Leon Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
