A number of organisations got together at Eden Park on Sunday, August 19, 2012 to mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
Called, ‘Auckland Eid Day,’ the event was organised jointly by Al Madinah School, Al Manar Trust, Furqaan Trust, Islamic Education and Dawah Trust, Mount Albert Islamic Trust, Nejashi Trust, New Zealand Muslim Association, Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust, the Centre for Education and Development, the Sri Lankan Community and Zayed College.
‘Auckland Eid Day’ is a biannual event, which also marks Eid Al Adha.
As well as food stalls, Eid at Eden Park featured a number of games for children.
Pakistanis celebrates
The small but well-knit Pakistani community celebrated Eid Al Fitr on August 19, 2012 with piety, goodwill and friendship.
Men, women and children gathered at Mosques to pray and visit people’s homes on the first day of Eid and wish them well.
Pakistan Association of New Zealand President Naveed Hameed said that Eid was a time to strengthen family bond and reaffirm devotion to Islamic culture.
“This is not only a joyous time, but also a time when we think of others. Therefore, as families and friends come together, their thoughts are with people of all religions and cultures,” he said.
Mr Hameed said that there was “some troubling realities on the horizon of Pakistan, the homeland of the community.
“As Pakistani New Zealanders, we see a more optimistic and brighter future for Pakistan, if each of us can be an ambassador and uphold our values of integrity and honesty. May Allah, the most merciful and beneficent, bless you on this auspicious day of Eid, and may it be the new beginning of revived faith, unity and discipline,” he said.
