Thousands celebrate end of Ramadan

Bryce Alderton

COSTA MESA -- Kamal Chohan stood with Omar Jaber in the bright

sunlight Sunday at the Orange County Fairgrounds as the two waited to go

to a carnival, eat food with family and friends and exchange gifts.

They, along with about 12,000 Muslim worshipers, had just finished an

hourlong prayer service Sunday morning as part of Eid al-Fitr, the first

of a three-day celebration signifying the end of the Muslim holy month of

Ramadan.

Kamal, 16, and Jaber, 21, were off to a carnival at the Islamic

Society of Orange County in Garden Grove, followed by visits to friends

and family to enjoy food and one another’s company.

“Today celebrates the month of Ramadan; it’s a joyous day for us,”

Kamal said. “We’re going to continue that joy at our families’ homes.

It’s kind of like Christmas. We’ll exchange gifts and money and eat at

each place.”

Jaber sported a white-collared buttoned gown with a silver embroidered

vest of Libyan design that sparkled in the sun.

“Most of the things we wear are handmade,” Jaber said.

Kamal wore a black-collared buttoned gown that hung past his knees and

a pair of golden shoes.

“I only wear these on special days like weddings,” Kamal said of the

shoes.

The Fountain Valley resident planned to visit family in Fountain

Valley and Torrance.

During Ramadan, worshipers fast and refrain from sexual relations

between sunrise and sunset, act charitably and learn to practice

nonviolence, said Habeeb Khan, president of the Islamic Society of Orange

County.

The ninth month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan is when Muslims also

vow to concentrate on God through prayer and reflection.

Evening hours are spent visiting with friends and family and eating

small meals.

“Service to humanity is a service to God,” Khan said.

The Sept. 11th terrorist attacks have helped Muslims build more

relationships with other Americans, Khan said.

“The tragedy in New York affected all of us,” Khan said. “We share in

the patriotism and nationalism with the American people; it brought us

more together with Americans.”