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Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies

MUSLIM FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES

Book Contents

1. What is Islam?
2. The Muslim Calendar
3. Muslim Festivals
4. Friday, a holy day for Muslims
5. Eid-ul-Fitr
6. Eid-ul-Adhia
7. Shab-i-Miraj
8. Lailat-ul-Qadr (The Night of Decree)
9. Eid Milad-un-Nabi
10. Muharram Festival
11. Ceremonies at birth
12. Marriage ceremony
13. Funeral Prayer service

Book’s Introduction

With the introduction of multi-religious studies in British schools and the increasing numbers of Mulsim pupils, we have received numerous requests from school teachers as well as stu­dents, for the supply of information about Islamic festivals.

Mr. Rashid Ahmad Choudri’s booklet for school students entitled “Mus­lim Festivals and Ceremonies” contains a wealth of information,

 not only about some of the festivals of Islam and the ceremonies performed by Muslims at the time of birth, marriage and death, hitherto unaccessible to English readers, but also about other aspects of the Muslim Faith.

Almost all festivals have socio-religious values, and the author has kept the vast diversity which exists among different sects of Muslims in mind.

 He has therefore included even those rites and practices which, though not forming an essential requirement of the Faith, yet are undertaken by some Muslims with great zeal and earnestness.

It is hoped that this edition, which has been revised by a committee for children’s literature, will continue to be a valuable aid to teachers and students alike, and indeed to all who are concerned with the welfare and training of children.

Book foreword

In order to maintain social harmony in an increasingly multi­cultural society and to remove the barriers of prejudices which prevail today, it is essential to be aware of the variations of c).llture of the people living in that society. One of the ways of studying the life style of a community is to look at its festivals.

Islamic festivals are not merely colourful and festive social occasions; in fact they also represent the living aspects of the Faith.

In this booklet I have explained the nature not only of those Islamic festivals which are universally celebrated such as Friday and Eids, but also some other Muslim festivals which are in vogue in the Muslim society today.

I am extremely grateful and greatly indebted to Maulana Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad, Imam of the London Mosque, Mr. M. A. Saqi, deputy Imam of the London Mosque and Mr. Mansoor Shah, editor of ‘Muslim Herald’, for their valuable suggestions and com­ments in bringing this booklet to its present form.