Invicta Vlogs
Eid Mubarak
Eid Mubarak
‘…do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet ... ’
- Quran 4:36
Many of our students and their families will have celebrated Eid ul-Fitr this Monday. Eid ul-Fitr signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, which is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. It is typically a one to three-day celebration known as ‘the festival of breaking the fast’.
For Muslims, Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr is an important time for building a virtuous society. In these days of austerity, it is also particularly important to consider others and be charitable. It is a time to avoid evil as much as possible, and instead to show love and peace.
Muslims usually wish each other ‘Eid Mubarak’ after saying the Eid prayer and may also hug each other three times. Eid is a word for a festival or celebration, while Mubarak means blessed. So, saying Eid Mubarak means Happy Eid, or have a blessed holiday.
If someone says Eid Mubarak to you, it is polite to respond by saying ‘Khair Mubarak’. The word khair means goodness and so this wishes good will on the person who greeted you.
The festival usually starts with a morning prayer at a mosque and is then followed by family and friends coming together to eat. Sharing what they have, and the giving of gifts is important, and families often give each other presents.
However, it is not just giving to friends and family that is valued. A crucial aspect of Eid-ul Fitr is giving to those who are most in need. Muslims believe that they have a personal and religious duty to help improve the lives of those in desperate need both in the UK and abroad and as part of the Eid celebrations they fulfil this duty by making a charitable donation called Zakat ul-Fitr, or Fitrana.
It is perhaps pertinent therefore that two of the fundamental messages of Eid-ul Fitr, charity and peace, are being reinforced by students, staff and parents this week here at Invicta through our Ukraine Appeal.
The VIAT Trust Ukraine Appeal aims to send a message of hope and peace to all those affected by the war in Ukraine and will raise at least £2000 to help those who are in danger.
Last week, after 2 days of non-stop cycling students and staff at SST completed an impressive 1152 miles, raising over £1,200 SST Maidstone (@SSTMaidstone) / Twitter . Invicta are proud to take over the baton on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week with 5 exercise bikes being cycled non-stop over the course of the two days. With your support we can help more children and families affected by this crisis - if you would like to make a donation please use this link, and remember to put IGS in the box: EVOLVEshop (edufocus.co.uk)
Mrs Giles
Head of School
