The Rumi Forum presented “Eids in Islam and their Contribution to Peace” with Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown University.
Id al-Fitr is the first of two canonical festivals of Islam. Id al-Fitr is celebrated on 1. Shawwal (month of the Muslim calendar) and the following days, and marks the end of sawm, the fast in the month of Ramadan. Though the Muslim use of a lunar calendar means that it may fall in any season of the year. As in Islam’s other holy festival, ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day. It is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited. Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs. Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims thank God for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan. This day, in Muslim world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The rejoicing is not, however, at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it is the happiness which man feels after successfully completing an important task. It is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation.
Imam Yahya Hendi is the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University, the first American University to hire a full-time Muslim chaplain. Imam Hendi is also the Imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick, and is the Muslim Chaplain at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He also serves as a member and the spokesperson of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America. He serves as adjunct faculty member For John Hopkins University, Office of professional development, and the Fordham University. Mr. Hendi Academic education in his Master’s and PhD education are in comparative religions with focus on Christianity and Judaism. He has written numerous publications on many topics, including women in Islam, women and gender relations in Islam, the coming of the Messiah, Islam and biomedical ethics and religion and Islam in the United States. A sought-after speaker, Imam Hendi has presented a multitude of interfaith and general lectures in the USA, Asia, Europe, central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East over the past eight years and he has been to more than 80 countries and 4o US states for conferences. Mr. Hendi was one of the Muslim leaders who met with the President of the United States in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy. Imam Hendi also met the President of the United States many times after September 11th. Imam Hendi often visits and lectures at churches and synagogues hoping to create a new positive relationship between the followers of the three Abrahamic religions. Imam Hendi focuses on issues related to gender relations, world peace, political justice and inter-religious and interfaith issues Imam Hendi appeared on many national and international television and Radio shows as an expert on Islam and Muslims (i.e. CNN, ABC, MSNBC and al-jazeerah).Mr. Hendi serves on national and international interfaith councils. In May 2002, Imam Hendi was chosen by Hartford Seminary to receive its annual “James Gettemy Significant Ministry Award” for his dedication to his Ministry and for his work to promote peace building between people of different religions. Imam Yahya Hendi believes that only with love and education can the world be a better place to live in. Imam Hendi speaks about three principles that must guide the world: Politics of Justice; Economics of equity and covenant of community.