MORE than 1.6 billion Muslims across the world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr yesterday, bringing an end to the holy month of Ramadaan.
In Cape Town, the weather may have been cold but the sun came out and the rain stayed away, giving added joy to the city’s Muslim community. People spent the day visiting family and friends, and taking part in traditional Eid feasts.
Tables were filled with curries, breyani, roasted chickens and seafood.
But Ghalied Christian, a Bo-Kaap resident, said: “It is not just a day of eating and looking good in your new clothes, but to bring relatives and friends together to celebrate the end of the fast.
"We abstain for 30 days from many things."
Zaytoen Davids was with her family in Maitland last night. As is their tradition, more than 100 members of her family meet for supper.
“Every year we meet at someone else’s house and everyone contributes their favourite dish.
"And this year everyone brought seafood dishes, but we must always have freshly baked bread and corned beef,” Davids said.
Dinner is always followed by jam and coconut pastries, cheesecakes, desserts and biscuits.
Yesterday, NGO Nakhlistan fed 85 000 people. Overnight, throngs of volunteers had cooked 169 massive pots of akni, a traditional Malay rice- and meat-based dish.
The pots of food are given to the less fortunate on Eid-ul-Fitr.
The volunteers braved the cold, wind and rain to prepare the meals.
Supporters of Nakhlistan said on their Facebook page: “Awesome, so wonderful to see not only the effort but the love in doing for others.”
Another said: “This is truly amazing. Eid Mubarak blessings to all.”