14,000 Muslims Turn Out for Celebration in Orange County

Despite increased security measures at the Orange County Fairgrounds, more than 14,000 area Muslims turned out Sunday morning to mark the end of Ramadan with a day of prayer, feasting and reflection.

The holy day, Eid al-Fitr, comes after the monthlong Ramadan, during which Muslims fast each day from dawn to dusk to help them learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

For the Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is like Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into one.

“It’s a very joyful day,” said Tahira Shah, 36, of Garden Grove. “This is the biggest gathering. We have new clothes on. Our kids have new clothes on. We go to each others’ homes for lunches and dinners and feasting.”

Faiz Rehman, 38, of Orange, a spokesman for the American Muslim Council, said that although Sunday was a time to celebrate, it also was an opportunity to remember the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the war in Afghanistan. This year the Eid prayers held even more meaning for Muslims, who number 7 million in the United States and 1.2 billion worldwide, he said.

“It’s more important, more significant,” Rehman said. “We came to pray for the victims and to pray for the country.”

Sunday began with an early group prayer. Thousands of Muslims, divided by gender--men in one area, women in another--knelt shoulder to shoulder at the fairgrounds as a symbol of unity. Similar prayers were scheduled at mosques and sites throughout the Southland.

Once the prayers were over, they hugged and greeted each other three times with the phrase “Eid Mubarak,” which means Eid blessings. The rest of the day is set aside for family and friends.

After the prayers Sunday at the fairgrounds, old friends mingled. Children played tag. And women showed off their henna tattoos and new shalwar kamez--beautifully embroidered and detailed flowing shirts and pants.

“We come for a fashion parade here,” joked Annie Chaudhry, 26, of Irvine.

Later, many held open houses to welcome friends. They planned to munch on traditional sweets and desserts, including shikorma and savaiyyan. Both are milk-based desserts that have sweet vermicelli flavored with sugar, raisins and spices.

Many children were eager to return home, where they would receive Eidee, or presents. Some opened their gifts the night before Eid and were expecting more presents and money Sunday.

Raza Rehman, 8, of Orange received a Nintendo game from his parents. His 5-year-old sister, Fareeha, got a digital music machine.

“Eid is very fun because I like to pray and I like to see all my friends,” said Henna Chaudhry, 7, of Fullerton. “You get lots of presents. My mom got me a tea cart and fake food and they give us money. I buy lots of stuff with it.”

Despite Sunday’s festivities, many people said they were concerned about their personal safety, particularly after the release last week of a videotape of Osama bin Laden, in which he expresses pleasure over the Sept. 11 attacks, and the recent bomb threat at the King Fahd Mosque in Culver City.

Security was heightened Sunday with several security guards and police officers present.

“We talked briefly about not coming,” said Tanveer Hussain, 32, of Irvine. “But you have to do what you have to do and we thought it was important enough to come.”