Eid Al Fitr is always celebrated on the first day of the islamic month of Shawwal. Alhamdullilah Allah gave us this Eid to do good & inshaAllah receive His blessings.
We are strongly advised, as followers of the tradition of the prophet Mohammed (saw), to attend Public Eid prayers and join in Takbir throughout the period of Eid. We give generously and exchange gifts as well as wear new Eid clothes. There are communal parties for men, for women and children at various places, with sweets to share and festive family meals. We also visit the elderly, the sick & needy in our community, all in remembrance of Allah, soubanAllah wa ta'ala.
Furthermore the Greater London Authority is supporting a big gathering to mark the end of Ramadan in Trafalgar Square in Central London similar to previous years; the local governement wants Eid Al Fitr to be part of a national event to celebrate diversity in the city and educate London about islam, recognising it as a major religion in UK.
This gathering on Saturday afternoon is likely to attract more than 40,000 people, with halal food stalls, islamic nasheeds/songs and children activities and entertainment. It brings many families to gather and share their common religious identity in a European country where they are very much a minority. Many non muslims and tourists from world over join in the occasion, because Trafalgar Square is itself a tourist attraction.
A large proportion of muslim children in UK are from disadvantaged backgrounds (though there are muslim millionaires living here too) and also socially quite isolated. My parents made a lot of effort to encourage us to socialise with some muslims outside of home, eg at Arabic & Qur'an classes. Many muslim families with young children attend this annual event . And people are smiling even when the London sky is grey.
However some muslims do not approve of this gathering which they think is too lax and lenient with a load of strangers mixing freely, listening to music and staring at each other.
Therefore many families will not allow any of their members to attend such an event.
God knows best. I would like to hear some of your views about this, as people living in non muslim countries. InshaAllah.