Today is Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Families and friends will gather today to enjoy good food and each other’s company. Many Norwegian Muslim children look forward to celebrating Eid, and for many people the social aspects are just as important as the festival’s religious significance. In addition, many Muslims use Eid as an occasion to help those who are less fortunate, by making their annual payment of obligatory alms (zakat in Arabic), which in Sunni Islam are equivalent to 2.5 percent of annual income after living expenses. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, together with the Declaration of Faith, Prayer, Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Zakat payments are usually made in connection with the festival of Eid. Ramadan, the month of fasting, has been a period of cleansing, self-denial and spiritual development. Many people use this time as an opportunity to share their good fortune with people who have less. We see this in Norway, too. We know that Muslims in Oslo are enthusiastic supporters of various types of charitable, humanitarian and development initiatives.
