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Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas however. The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also one reason that people also give wishes of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas during the season.

Although both activities are very different and were originated for different reasons, some similarities can be found between the two practices. Both celebrations have commitment as a central and important theme. They also both include symbolic forms of light and are both commemorated over almost the same number of days – seven days from December 26 to January 1 for Kwanzaa, and eight days and night for Hanukkah – usually starting about one week before Christmas Day.

Starting with its origination, Hanukkah celebrations dates to an event in 165 B.C. when the Jews were victorious over the Syrians. Hanukkah started as a way to restore and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem that had been desecrated, including its golden menorah, by the Syrians. The festival also served the purpose of once more observing and re-instituting rituals that the Syrians had forbidden during their rule.

Kwanzaa was started in 1966 by a university professor as a way for African-Americans and others in the African diaspora to engage in celebrations that included elements of African culture.

While Kwanzaa is not as popular as Christmas, it keeps growing and its goal has been achieved to some extent as it is now practiced in many nations such as those in the Caribbean, which have a large population of people of African ancestry. The wide availability of Kwanzaa greeting cards and even postage stamps at Christmas time, also attests to the extent to which the celebration has entered the mainstream.

The primary symbol of Hanukkah, the menorah, which consists of eight individual lights, is very much a part of the mainstream. Menorahs are available today in various shapes and sizes. A single standard requirement that must be observed in making a menorah is that there should be enough separation between the flame of each of the eight lights so that they don’t give the total effect of a single large flame when all are lit.

A flame is lit each night over the days in remembrance of how a small quantity of oil from the desecrated Temple kept a menorah burning for eight days, when the amount should have only lasted for a single day. It was that miraculous occurrence that gave rise to the Hanukkah celebration to light a menorah over eight days.

Kwanzaa symbols include a candle holder and seven candles that represent the roots of African ancestors and seven core principles of Kwanzaa respectively. Other symbols are, The Crops for African harvest, Mat for African tradition, Corn for the future represented by children, the Unity Cup and the Gifts. The Flag and Poster of Seven Principles are two supplemental symbols. These items can be found at specialty African and African-American shops in some malls and in town with a heavy concentration of African and African-American population.

Among the most important features of Kwanzaa are the seven core principles and values they embody: self-determination, unity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. These seven principles are meant to be a foundation and guide upon which the African diaspora can build a strong, successful and fulfilling life while maintaining a connection to their roots.

While not religious, the principles of Kwanzaa are meant to instill a strong sense of spirituality in individuals. Kwanzaa seeks to instill spirituality upon which individuals can build self-confidence and secure self-identity through a link to their roots. This sense of spirituality and connection to one’s history, roots or ancestry is also an element of similarity between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Author: Dr. Ashiq Hussain

EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal, at the completion of the holy month Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim year),. In fact it is the ‘festival of fast breaking’ and is most celebratory of all Muslim festivals. The festival is significant as much for its timing, as for its religious implications. Legend says that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the last ten days of Ramadan. Moreover, the month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad – the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah.

The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

On the day Muslims Wake up early, Take a Ghusl (bath) offer Fajr namaz and Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones and most of the use perfume (men only). After having breakfast they leave for Eid Gah (a big paly ground type) for offering Eid Namaz. Pay Zakaat, Sad-qa-ie Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid. From home to the Eidgah and back usually two separate routes are used to and from the prayer ground which is regarded as Sunnat. On the way the Takbir Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah) is recited loudly.

Structure of Eid prayer: Eid prayer is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. At the conclusion of the prayer the Muslims convey greetings to each other give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. They also take this as an opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture and share with them the happiness of Eid.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain

About the Author:

Bhalessa, Dr. Ashiq, Ramdan

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Eid-ul-Fitr