Celebrating Eid in Livingston

By Naureen Akhter

Throughout April and May, Livingston’s Muslim community held events commemorating the Islamic month of Ramadan and subsequent Eid celebration. Marked by 30 days of fasting, Muslims typically abstain from food and water during daylight hours, observe nightly prayers, and partake in charitable giving – all practices to increase empathy, compassion and spirituality. Once the 30 days are complete, Muslims celebrate Eid by attending morning prayer services, donning festive clothes and visiting friends and family. 

At Riker Hill, Collins, and Harrison Elementary Schools, parents put up decorations, presented slideshows and facilitated lantern themed crafts for students. “We believe, by sharing our faith and cultures we can help counter discriminatory stereotypes and allow students to be empathetic to the experiences of others,” said Zainab Quadria, a parent at Harrison Elementary.

In the spirit of the holiday’s charitable component Hillside parents also organized a toy drive for newly resettled refugee families in partnership with Refugee Assistance Partners, a local 501c3 organization. Ten families with children ranging in age from under 1 to 17 received over 80 gifts. 

“Many families feel lost and disoriented having been forcibly displaced to a foreign land after trauma. Celebrating Ramadan together in their new home was incredibly centering,” said Jill Segulin, Executive Director of Refugee Assistance Partners NJ. “Receiving these gifts for their first Eid here provided an incredibly comforting touchstone for both the parents and their kids.” 

Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair, Saba Khan, organized a cake drop off to Livingston Police Department Chief, Gary Marshuetz.

Sanskriti Indian School hosted an Eid Cookie baking and decorating class. Students were taught how to roll out sugar cookie dough in star and moon shapes and decorate them with marbled royal icing.

“We believe, by sharing our faith and cultures we can help counter discriminatory stereotypes and allow students to be empathetic to the experiences of others,” said Zainab Quadriai, one of the parent organizers who has been working to get the Eid holiday recognized by Livingston Public Schools. This year marked the first year the holiday was noted on the official school calendar, when Board Member Pamela Chirls and several public school parents asked for the recognition at an October 2021 school board meeting. The parents observing the holiday are hopeful they will get the day off for students in the near future. 

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