IDUL FITRI DI LIBYA

Libyan Eid Unveiled
28/10/2006

by Alaeddin Bashir Abukabda

Belated Libya celebrates once again the departure of Ramadan. Fasting and deep religious dedication are momentarily laid aside and replaced by celebration and gaiety. Today, we will forsaken the impenetrable religious halo which encircles “Eid Al Fitr” and which characterizes most Libyan customs, and instead we will take a close and methodical insight at what really occurs within, and without the local households as they hail and bid farewell to the solemnity of the sacred month of Ramadan.
Libyan traditional feasting is mainly an intermingling and intertwining of pageant customs and religious rites with the epicurean element justly supervening for an ephemeral instant over the deeply-rooted Islamic impositions and beliefs.
During the three consecutive festive days the Libyan population rediscovers, before relapsing into common daily affairs, the pleasure of reuniting with close relatives thus sharing with long-missed kins an abundant repast prepared overnight by untiring and diligent housewives.
These meals consist mainly of a variety of customary dishes such as baked beans soup, stuffed peppers and mutton along with other equally relishable and desirable dishes.
However, tradition has it that “Eid Al Fitr” should be mainly devoted to exquisite sweet delicacies such as the delicious “magrud” made of delicately-prepared dates within fillo-pastry and covered by a molass-like dense syrup, or the more notorious “baklava`” in shapes and numerous varieties that in unison mollify the surliest of moods and contribute to the success of the day.
However, “Eid Al Fitr” is not only a tribute to culinary tastes. It signifies a spiritual ablution and redemption from daily conflicts and sorrows.
The first day commences with a long and heart-felt morning prayer and sermon in remembrance of the month that has passed, dethroned by the oncoming “Shawwal”.
It is a joyous occasion with important religious significance. Happiness is observed as attaining spiritual uplift after a month of fasting. Muslims dress in holiday attire as worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace, love, and brotherhood.
After that, all believers direct themselves homewards to enjoy the intimate pleasures of familial company as neighbours visit each other and relatives indulge in prolonged visits lasting all day long.
In the meantime, nearby streets are teeming with boisterous children brandishing newly-purchased toys, whilst showing off in exultant pride brand new garments bought specially for the occasion doomed to be-come thoroughly miserable and piteous by the end of the day.
Many families gather in the paternal household and return to their native cities, which in some cases involve long nightly journeys.
Nowadays, new generations that are engaged in games or other activities with their peers, have relinquished such customs (more is the pity) preferring instead to dedicate the festive time loitering in downtown Tripoli.
“Eid Al Fitr” also means heavy and unequalled spending as a Libyan citizen duly points out, “The Eid has become a strong commercial business. I spend my monthly salary before and during these three days. In the past, we were happy just to spend some time with our families.”
This new trend is evident nowadays as more and more families flock into downtown Tripoli and indulge in sundry entertainments duly embellished, prim and proper and newly clad. Fun parks, such as that facing the Al Fateh Tower enlarged and renewed, furnish amusement in the form of roller coasters, bumping cars and other equally enjoyable games to the same effect.
Likewise, restaurants offer special menus a` la carte with a wide selection of presumably traditional dishes such as couscous, “hraimi” (fish soup), cakes, pastries and Arabic salads all to attract selected clients.
When asked what this recurrence really meant to Muslims, a passerby said: “Eid Al Fitr is a time dedicated to love and to our families, during which all Muslims cast their problems and worries away by spending dear moments with those they cherish.

(The Tripoli Post)