I’m sitting in the library of my college, in a box shaped desk that allows me to be in my own world. So what am I doing?
Thinking about religion and religious celebration, of course, while I’m reading stuff on my laptop and listening to Touch the Sky.
For those who know and don't know, Eid al Fitr is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan that Muslims all over the world celebrate. It is enjoyable, memorable and meaningful to most but I, among others, have witnessed that the trend is for holidays and celebrations to lose their meaning as people try to make money off these yearly events.
I’m talking about what you all know and have experienced. It's a money loving, capitalist economy. Yeah, I know it’s what this world is all about but please this is going a bit too far.
It's sad that holidays--that should be a bit more meaningful-- are just about the money, presents or candy. They lose their significance because of the limitless thoughts on our minds about making money. We search for any and all ways to make the greenbacks come rolling in without a stop in the flow.
We're all to blame for this...we add to this cycle and dilemma.
Eid is about getting together, celebrating the end of a month where we learned about self control and submission to the bare minimum.
BUT people go all out. Spending hundreds on their dress for Eid, when a nice new and clean dress would suffice. Traditionally, the young ones get money from adults on Eid al-Fitr--but some people give a bit too much, yes, too much. Kids don't need a 100 dollars if they haven't even kept a single fast. I say, twenty dollars is enough but then again, who am I to preach to others...right.
WHY DO PEOPLE FLAUNT THEIR WEALTH? AH…is it because if you’ve got it, use it and abuse it, rub it in the faces of those less advantageous and lucky in the world?
How about spending those doll-ahs less on these material things, and showing you care by donating money, making sure that people around you are fed and sheltered.
I’m disgusted when I see some people decked out in their glamour and extravagance. I hear them talking about the price of their heavy worked-glittering clothes that cost about 500 dollars or more and it is not all, there is matching jewelry.Everything loses value when we stain it with this fakeness and superficiality. PLEASE. CHANGE…Everyone! It is not about the gifts, the amount of money or the bling bling.
IT is NOT about these material things…YOU AGREE? ARGH, spare me--I don’t ever be that way if by chance I stumble upon a treasure and become wealthy.
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All I know about this celebration is what you described and while I understand your point, I don't entirely agree. If a holiday involves gift-giving, especially to ones that you love, why not go all out? If I have the means, and want to give a special gift, I should do it for the person I love. I agree that gifts and materials things shouldn't take the place of the true meaning of the holiday, which ever it may be. I don't think I will ever be a person that is entirely focused on material things, but right now I am on year 3 of 8 years of school to become a professional. When I finally do and I am reaping the benefits of my hard work, I will definitely provide myself with a comfortable life, including dressing in things I like, living in a house I like and driving a car that I like.
~ElegantFree~
of the blog and not all of the message I am trying to get across----
I can understand the sentiments you are trying to explain about getting and giving good gifts that might cost a little more BUT I have a problem with people who FLAUNT their wealth and show off their extravagance.
I like the idea of finding the gift that is most meaningful and not the biggest price tag, THAT is what I was trying to get across in the blog. It should not be about money and just getting stuff. There is something deeper than that in holidays that we have lost because of this money minded materialistic culture we live in
And in essence, Eid basically involves the Elder giving the young ones money---It's at the end of the 30 days of Ramadan (there are blogs on Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr on ProgU)...now you know what it's about (the Holiday I mention.)
"Wealth, however, does have one advantage over looks: beauty fades, interest accrues." -- Dan Savage.
"Wealth never decreases because of charity." Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
I agree with your point. It does seem like a lot of holidays have become about buying people gifts and showing off rather than the point of the holiday. (I do, sort of, observe some Jewish Holiday's out of deference to my heritage.)
I can say stuff about a few of the holidays in your tags.
Rosh Hashana- As far as I know there isn't much wealth flaunting with this holiday. The day in shul with family dinners.
Hanuka- Of course, all holidays are important, but Hanuka is a somewhat minor holiday. It is not a high holiday. It gets blown out of proportion do to its proximity to Christmas and has become highly gift-based.
Halloween- I know it has religious roots, but it is hardly religious now for most people. For most people it is just a fun night. I have no problems with that.
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
Douglas Adams
"That is not dead which can eternal lie / And with strange aeons even death may die."
H. P. Lovecraft
thanks for understanding where I was getting the idea from, people seem to think I am saying don't spend money on gifts--whereas I am saying don't flaunt your wealth and it's about the holiday being more meaningful than the actual monetray gift/present
"I leave my one and only grain of spiritual sand
to universal scales of humanity, all humanity...
forever is finding a solution to a solution." -Forever Begins, Common
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
hmmm. What I find funny is that Thanksgiving is apparently the biggest gift-giving holiday. I have never given or recieved a gist on Thanksgiving. It just doesn't seem right.
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
Douglas Adams
"That is not dead which can eternal lie / And with strange aeons even death may die."
H. P. Lovecraft
I never knew that, even though I am from Pakistan, we do usually get a turkey and have family over on Thanksgiving because everyone has off,
so giving thanks means giving presents??
"I leave my one and only grain of spiritual sand
to universal scales of humanity, all humanity...
forever is finding a solution to a solution." -Forever Begins, Common
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
great blog.
I don't think the holidays themselves are fake but we are making them become just about the material things so that is why they are losing their real meaning and message------I hope I got that acrossv :0)
"I leave my one and only grain of spiritual sand
to universal scales of humanity, all humanity...
forever is finding a solution to a solution." -Forever Begins, Common
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
You're right. Stores start putting holiday items on display earlier and earlier. Things have become seriously about money. When I was younger I loved just getting home for the holidays, I still do, but now going into a store makes me anxious.