What are the two different Afghani holidays that are mentioned in the book? Describe each with quotes from the novel. Would you ever consider celebrating these and why? Use detail and examples. *Hint* Chapter 12
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The two different Afghani holidays are Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan begins at “the sighting of the new crescent moon” (pg 71). During this time the cities become quiet and empty, while people stay in their homes and fast. Then at “iftar”, “when the sun dipped in the west and the cannon fired from Shir Darwaza mountain” (pg 71) the fast ends. At the end of Ramadan there is a celebration lasting three days called Eid-ul-Fitr. During this celebration “families had flooded the city on their frenetic rounds to visit relatives.” (pg 72) and children receive Eid gifts. Although I’m not against celebrating these holidays, I probably wouldn’t. This is nothing against people who do, I just don’t believe in that religion and there would really be no purpose in me celebrating these holidays.
The two holidays of the Muslim religion is Ramadan and The Three Days of Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims. “And at iftar, when the sun dipped in the west and then cannon fired from the Shir Darwaza mountain, the city broke its fast, and so did Mariam, with bread and a date, tasting for the first in her fifteen years the sweetness of sharing in a communal experience.” This quote is referencing Ramadan and the connection between this holiday and Mariam. “He would bring Mariam chocolate candy wrapped in foil, a basketful of dyed boiled eggs, cookies.” This quote is representing The Three Days of Eid-ul-Fitr. This is a celebration after Ramadan where they get presents and feast in food. And I would probably not participate in these holidays because I’m not Muslim but if I was I probably would.
Alicia Scanlan
Per D
May 1, 2008
The first Afghani holiday mentioned in the book is Ramadan. Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance in which Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. They are also supposed to fast during the day and avoid irreligious sights and sounds throughout the month. “She noticed a drowsy hush overtaking Kabul. Traffic became languid, scant, even quiet. Shops emptied. Restaurants turned off their lights, closed their doors…And at iftar, when the sun dipped in the west and the cannon fired from the Shir Darwaza mountain, the city broke its fast, and so did Mariam, with bread and a date, tasting for the first time in her fifteen years the sweetness of sharing in a communal experience.” (71) The next Afghani holiday is Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid ul-Fitr starts the day after Ramadan ends, and lasts three days. Eid-ul-Fitr is observed by giving money to the poor and wearing ones best clothes. “Back at the kolba, on the first of three days of Eid-ul-Fitr celebration that followed Ramadan, Jalil would visit Mariam and Nana. Dressed in suit and tie, he would come bearing Eid presents.” (72) I personally would not celebrate these holidays. I don’t think that fasting each day for an entire month is healthy. I do think giving to the poor is very nice, but I wouldn’t want to dress in my best clothes and do it for three days in a row.
In the novel, Miriam celebrates Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan is a Muslim holiday in which Muslims fast during daylight, for one month, to maintain self control and become closer to God. “Traffic became languid, scant, and even quiet. Shops emptied. …Miriam saw no smokers on the streets, no cups of tea steaming from window ledges” (Hosseini 71). During the daylight hours, they can not eat, drink, smoke or take part in sexual activities.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that follows Ramadan and begins with the sighting of the first crescent moon. “For the first time in her life, Miriam saw how the first sighting of the crescent moon could transform an entire city. Alter its rymthm and mood” (Hosseini 71). During this festival, Muslims spend time with friends and relatives. They dress in holiday attire and everyone prays and celebrates their new closeness to God.
Before researching these holidays, I thought that Muslims fast for an entire month, but they eat at night and before sunrise. I think that these holidays take a lot of self control. In the Middle East a lot of people celebrate them, but in the US, not a lot of people even know what they are so it would be difficult to practice when everyone else is going about life normally. I think that if everyone was to stop for even a day and think about whom they are and what they could do to better themselves, everyone would be happy. I don’t think that I would ever be able to fast for a whole day and then do it for a month but it must be a rewarding experience for the people who do practice it.
Jessica Nartowicz
The two Afghani Holidays are Ramadan and The three days of Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan is know as the fasting month for Muslims. Iftar is "when the sun dipped in the west and the cannon fired from Shir Darwaza mountain" (page 71) After Ramadan there is a 3 day long celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr. I would not want to participate in these holidays because I would not be able to fast for the long and I am not Musllim.
-Nadya Kaltsunas
" I don’t think that I would ever be able to fast for a whole day and then do it for a month but it must be a rewarding experience for the people who do practice it."
What Jess says is very meaningful. Has anyone ever had to make a sacrifice (most likely not fasting) that has had a rewarding experience?
Ramadan is definitely not my style. Fasting, no. Staying at home, no. I could barely deal with one, let alone both. During that time, I would feel trapped and I bet I would cave.
Eid-ul-Fitr is basically the compliment to Ramadan with a big feast. I already have Thanksgiving, and to celebrate this holiday would imply that I celebrated Ramadan, which was a no.
However, if I were Muslim, I may consider celebrating these holidays. However, I tend not to believe religion as an institution with rules and requirements, but rather the way we learn how live better lives, have moralsm show respect, find ourselves, and discover true happiness. However, since I am not a Muslim, I would not celebrate the holiday, but I would not expect a Muslim to celebrate Good Friday and Easter.
I guess this idea of giving something up to eventually receive something, a benefit from the sacrifice, is truly evident in our everyday lives. For example, In my family, I am the oldest child, the oldest son of three. At a younger age than my brothers, I was sort of required to give up being childish and irresponsibility. I was forced to take on more chores and make sure my brothers' chores got done. In the end, I have turned out to be responsible and mature, in some caes, even in comparison to other teens, other males, my age. I think this has essentially helped me become a leader as opposed to a follower. The former person is one I take pride in being.
This whole concept also proves this belief in karma, what goes around comes around. Being forced to make a sacrifice, in the end, makes your life better. Life gives back what you give up, in strange ways, but in ways nonetheless.
Personally, I am a Catholic, so we have a time period much like Ramadan. During lent, the general idea is to make sacrafices and fast for forty days and forty nights. Whatever sacrafice I have ever made for the duration of lent, I have always felt a sense of accomplishment at the end. In this way, I can more easily relate to A Thousand Splendid Suns and Muslim holidays in general.
Joe Mitchell
Class D
In A Thousand Splendid Suns Mariam speaks about the time during Ramadan and the three day celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. “Mariam dreaded Eid, this time of hospitality and ceremony…” she is saddened by the high spirits of the city because all she can think about is spending time with Nana during Ramadan. By the description in the book Ramadan reminded me of Christmas time because everyone is joyful and visit family members that they had not seen in a long time.
Lauren Southworth
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