“Eid Mubarak” or “blessed celebration”, plasters itself across a banner as I step onto the terrace of John Cabot University to learn more about what Eid is and how it is celebrated. Eid marks the end of Ramadan and serves as a reminder to reflect and celebrate faith, friends and community. Although this was the general impression I got from this event, I also understood through talking to individuals that Ramadan and Eid means something a little bit different to each person. Although both are widely practiced and celebrated, there is definitely a personalized meaning as to what Ramadan and Eid symbolize.
The terrace of John Cabot as the location for the event was just perfect. It was a beautiful night with an incredible sunset, which really added an extra layer to the positive energy within the grounds of the celebration. The dress of individuals celebrating Eid was another aspect that caught my eye – the patterns sequenced together with a collaboration of shapes and designs was beautiful and served as a way to represent cultures, identities, and how these two aspects play directly into one another.
Once I took in the views of the terrace and the variety in attire, I made my way to the traditional Lebanese and Egyptian cuisine. I got the opportunity to try a variety of different foods, but the ones that stood out to me taste-wise were the fattoush, Egyptian spaghetti, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves! Fattoush is a type of Lebanese salad made with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and fried pieces of pita (by far my favorite dish!). Egyptian spaghetti is made with rice, spaghetti noodles, chickpeas, and an assortment of sauces ranging from non-spicy to spicy. Falafel is made of chickpeas as well, or sometimes beans, herbs, and spices. Finally then, stuffed grape leaves, or dolomas, are made of rice, meat, and many herbs/spices.
I felt and feel very grateful to have been welcomed into a celebration, even if it is not in representation of my own religion. This event called me in to learn more about what Ramadan and Eid is and simply celebrate with a wider community. I had a wonderful time engaging with the Arab Student Association, as they were the ones who put on this event, as well as others outside of this specific organization. Eid at John Cabot University gave me the opportunity to connect with a different culture, learn more about the importance of it, engage with familiar faces along with new people, and try an array of new foods I will be sure to eat again within the near future!
It is important to engage with communities and cultures outside of your own to understand the world beyond your localized bubble. One common thread I took in at Eid from talking to people was how many missed their homes during this time of celebration as it reminded them of their families. I could connect with this and reflecting further, it is quite beautiful to see how even though our families may be wherever we call home, Rome is giving students from different universities the grounds to connect with each other. Studying abroad in Rome has not just opened my eyes to the differences in Italian culture, but all different cultures, religions, practices, people, and faiths. I thank Temple Rome and John Cabot University for this collaboration as well as the Arab Student Association for making this event so memorable.
Learn more about Ramadan and Eid al Fitr.
