Celebrate Eid in style | Childrens Style Stories

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FASHION INSPIRATION, TRENDS & ADVICE

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Celebrate Eid in style

22 May 2018

Brighton-based Muslim mummy influencer Nilüfa Dahlia tells us about Ramadan and how she

plans to celebrate Eid with her husband and two young children, Kamil, three, and Ascia, one.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. We’ve fasted for a whole month during daylight hours and in that time we’ve

reflected spiritually, increased prayers, made a conscious effort to behave well and to be kind every day, whether

that’s leaving £1 in a vending machine for the next person or donating something to the food bank. During this time,

it’s really important to me that my kids embrace Islam and so I created a Ramadan Kindness calendar and we ensure

we stick to doing one good deed a day. Research has shown it takes up to 21 days for a habit to form and as

Ramadan is about 30 days long, it is hoped that these good habits will continue once Eid is over. There’s always a

really good united energy during this time, which I miss once it’s all over.

Eid al-Fitr comes when the moon appears towards the end of Ramadan (this year it will begin on

the evening on 14 June and end on the evening of 15 June). As soon as we’ve seen the new moon,

I give my children an Eid basket. This includes new pyjamas, sweets and a book on Eid. On the

morning of Eid, the first thing we do is take a shower (cleanliness is a really important part of

Islam), then we put on our best clothes. My husband wears the traditional jubba (a long shirt) and

skull cap to the mosque for prayers and then changes into something smart casual later in the day.

Eid is a chance to feel special – the best version of ourselves so it’s traditional to wear something

new or your best clothes. It’s a wonderful time to invest in yourselves. I like to wear a long-sleeved

maxi dress with heels and a nice scarf. Some families like to match with their kids and I do like my

family to coordinate, so for Kamil I will pick smart shirt, trousers and waistcoat and bow tie to

match with his dad’s, and for Ascia, I will choose a dress with a bow which complements my outfit.

Changing outfits during the day is quite normal and I usually put the children in something a bit

more comfortable like joggers and a T-shirt later in the day.

Muslims shouldn’t strictly celebrate birthdays so Eid is one of the big events of the year in the Islamic

calendar and an opportunity to pray, exchange gifts and spend time with loved ones. I like to do a

really special Eid breakfast which will include a few Bengali and Turkish dishes (I’m from a Bangladeshi

family and my husband is Turkish). We will then go to pray Eid salah, then out for a special lunch, and

in the afternoon and evening it’s all about visiting family and getting the cousins together.

Nilly's top picks of the girls' frocks for Eid