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SHIFTING IMAGES

The feast after the fast

Mila Ali
***The food was enough to compensate for a month's fasting and more! "Eid is a time for revelry after a hard period of abstinence," I said to myself, in an effort to justify the indulgence.***
I usually avoid large congregations and collective religious events. Not because I am opposed to public worship per se, but because, for me, religion is truly a personal affair to be confined to the private space of the worshipper. Frankly, my past experiences in attending
Muslim religious gatherings have not been all too positive. Two things seem to dominate these occasions. First, the sermons are often overwrought and focus mainly on rituals. Secondly, some "holier than thou" individuals assume self-imposed monitoring roles, which entail criticism of superficial aspects of the worshippers like posture, clothes, strands of hair peeking out of the head covering etc. Sadly, all this religious rhetoric has little to do with one's spiritual evolution!
There is, however, one congregation that I have been attending for the last three years. It's the neighborhood Eid prayers. Apart from the fact that the event has a strong community bonding aspect, there is another reason for my participation. The women in the community (many of whom are non-working home makers) insisted that they be included in the prayer ceremony in the same room as the men, without a screen separating them. Reportedly, they gave
quite a fight and won. And, I feel I need to express my solidarity by being a part of the group.
Yes, this is in the United States in case some of you are wondering where on earth all this is happening! The fact is that this country's Constitution allows the freedom to practice (or not to practice) any religion. It permits the community and its leaders to conduct prayers in accordance with their commonly accepted rituals and beliefs. The state plays only a supportive role, standing by to ensure that the activities are unhindered, peaceful and within the law.
I have to confess that the Eid prayer ceremonies have provided me much food for thought. Three years ago the event was held in a neighbourhood church with the pastor welcoming the congregation. Next year we had a local Congresswoman talk about the need for tolerance and enhanced understanding between different religious groups within the community. This year yet another surprise awaited me. A rabbi spoke about the importance of interfaith understanding and cooperation. As a first step, twenty-five members of his synagogue joined our worship to help create a sense of camaraderie. The Imam (a second generation American) spoke about the spirit of Ramadan, which is to retreat and reflect. And, to exercise self control in all aspects of life — food and drink being the very basic. He emphasised the need for continuous introspection leading to tolerance, forgiveness, sharing material possessions with the less fortunate and adopting a simple lifestyle over profligacy and opulence!
The experience uplifted me. By the time I entered my friend's house for an Eid lunch I was all charged up about the many benefits of communities coming together on these special occasions. May be this was the beginning of a change from the lavish and indulgent way of life that many of us get sucked into. Strands of the popular A.R. Rahman sufi song "Maula mere maula" filled the room already buzzing with festive men, women and children. Feeling a sense of elation I, too, glided in to mingle with the group.
The dazzle of glittering jewelry and designer handbags provided the first jolt. This was not the austerity that I had hoped for after the prayer session! A glance at the buffet table revealed some twenty courses of various colours, flavours and texture. The food was enough to compensate for a month's fasting and more! "Eid is a time for revelry after a hard period of abstinence," I said to myself, in an effort to justify the indulgence.
As I moved closer to the crowd I heard familiar sound bites: "Which do you think is better, the Merc 500 or the BMW 500 series?" Or "just completed work on a Gazebo in the back yard. Now that the fasting has ended, must host a garden party for all of you!" It seemed that the post Ramadan transition to a more modest and meaningful life had suddenly evaporated!
The haunting sufi number continued to play in the background: "Oh my maula, my protector, I bow my head in humility. Change my destiny!" But the words were drowned by the sounds of tinkling glasses, clanking silverware, rustling saris, clinking bangles, clicking high heels ... and small talk in loud voices.
Nothing had changed. Perhaps I was naive to think that a sermon and a song could change my world!!
The writer is a renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent and a former employee of the World Bank.