Arabeyes: Eid Al Fitr Celebrations (Part 2) · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Holy month of Ramadan culminated with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations throughout the Muslim world. Here's what bloggers are saying about the occasion in the second of a three-part series. Today's tour takes us to Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel.
Kuwait:
Our first stop is in Kuwait where Marzouq from Z District describes the chaos which happens when Eid is announced:
“This really only happens in Eid, everyone goes into a frenzy doing something. I found out it was Eid from my barber, he gave me a call telling me it was Eid tomorrow and to come by asap. It was 6:40pm, and I waited for prayer before heading out around 7:10pm on the bike over to the barber. The streets were insane, I thought it would be relatively empty like the days during Ramadan. The traffic would start usually around 8:00pm but I was mistaken and there was lots of traffic.
I was really enjoying myself during this ride with the cool weather but everyone was just insane. I could tell at least 30 – 40 cars were squeezing the middle lane on purpose so that I couldn’t get through and it was really annoying me but I was thinking let me get through this traffic calmly and then I take off from all these idiots,” he writes.
Libya:
Libyan blogger Benghazi Citizen (Ar) discusses an issue irking many Muslims –  and that is the difference in the beginning of Eid and the sighting of the new moon in different Muslim countries.
Lebanon:
For Lebanese blogger Rami Zurayk, Eid is a festival of eating. He notes:
“Beyond its religious significance, this is a celebration of eating. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, and in the Eid, they revert back to normal eating schedule. Families meet to have BIG lunches, and the street food shops operate at full capacity: sweets, savory, fruit drinks. When I was a kid, itinerant vendors used to sell small plates of pickles for a few cents of a Lira. So I'm indulging.”
Palestine:
Palestinian blogger Catholic Sunni Shia shares Zurayk‘s sentiments and announces that she will fill her stomach on Eid. But she also gives us a sneak preview of what is in store for her once family and friends gather at her house for the Eid get together!
“Today my job will be to eat. There will be tons of people over later, my mother and other assorted family members have been cooking non-stop since last night. I will do a lot of listening today. Because the overwhelming majority of those invited here tonight are totally deranged. I like to sit back and listen to crazy people talk with little or no participation from me. I have an “uncle” who is 90 and wears a Kangol. He pays teenagers to beat each other up. Then he praises strength and ostracizes the poor unsuspecting awkward teen that can't fight back. He's one sick bastard. His wife is 50 and counting the days till he keels over. My sister will make up clever names for everyone: powder, pool-table legs, wedge of cheese nose, dirty complected, fat hyena, etc. She's a real bitch but she's hilarious most of the time. My brother will just say absurd things to everyone all night long,” she explains.
For obvious reasons, Catholic Sunni Shia‘s post is a must read!
Israel:
Our last stop is with Israeli blogger Imshin, who notes the Eid Al Fitr attires Muslims wore to celebrate the event.
“how many of the Muslim girls managed to look gorgeous and sexy in their Eid el-Fiter finery, even though they were wearing the meant-to-be-modest head covering. For me it’s always strange to see them with their head covered but wearing tight jeans with sparkly bits. Mind you, the more religious women seem to don big shapeless dresses and a superior pious look. Many of the girls in the park yesterday, however, appeared to be wearing the head covering more as a fashion accessory.
I’m not judging anything here. It’s just interesting for me. The dress code of Jewish religious women, from the various groups, is just as fascinating in my mind. As is the dress code of secular young Israeli women for that matter.”
Part One of the series is found here.