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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 25, 2003

For Christians, Jews and Muslims, it's a special time

 •  Celebrations of the season

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

This year, Hallmark unveiled its newest "holiday" card, for Eid al-Fitr, which sold out quickly.

That got us thinking about how this year, three of the major monotheistic religions — Islam, Judaism and Christianity — have end-of-the-year observances falling within a month of each other.

First up: Eid al-Fitr today or tomorrow (depending on the sightings of the first crescent of the new moon, which occurred after press time), the first of only two Islamic religious festivities.

We asked representatives from Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups to help us put together a look at what these religions have in common as they enter their special seasons. Here's what they said:

Islam

Eid al-Fitr is a a time of thanksgiving and a joyous occasion with strong religious significance, explains Hakim Ouansafi, president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii.

Muslims show their gratitude for health, strength and opportunities in life. During Ramadan, Muslims fast to develop compassion for the less fortunate. During Eid ul-fitr, they also practice charitable giving.

Here in Hawai'i, Muslims gather on the morning of Eid for an all-day event. The first hour is a service, followed by prayer and a sermon. Breakfast is served, then come activities and children's games that continue until lunch. Greetings of "Eid mubarak (a blessed Eid)" are exchanged.

Children are given gifts or money by their parents and relatives. Toward the end of the afternoon, people visit each other and make phone calls to their families all over the world to wish them a blessed Eid, Ouansafi said.

Judaism

In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "They rested on the 25th." It comes from the Hebrew word for rededication, said Pearl Krasnjansky, wife of Chabad of Hawai'i Rabbi Itchel Krasnjansky.

Hanukkah is not a biblically-imposed holiday. Jews observe, it as a celebration of religious freedom.

The story: More than 2,000 years ago, Syrian Greeks invaded and conquered Israel. The rulers forced their pagan way of life on the conquered, but a tiny group of Jews, called Maccabees, fought back. As the prayer says, "Many in the hands of the few. ..." The Maccabees drove the enemy from the Temple.

The Syrian Greeks had imposed harsh decrees, forbidding Jews from practicing many basic tenets of their faith, Krasnjansky explained.

Now, as an expression of Jewish pride and religious freedom, communal Sabbath services are held, with communal meals. There are also annual parties, with children from Hebrew schools performing.

When they celebrate at home, Jews light a candle on the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum (with a symbolic single "helper" candle, the shamash), on every night of Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of a small jug with one day's worth of oil that lasted for eight days. The original lighting took place at the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Traditionally, parents give children gelt" or chocolate coins. There's also a spinning-top game, called dreidel (or draydel), and these days, Krasnjansky notes, gift giving has become de rigeur.

The lights of the menorah symbolize the lights of human freedom for all. Dairy food is eaten as a tribute to the heroism of Judith. She was a Maccabbee who killed the general Holofernes by feeding him salty cheese and wine. his death caused his army to flee.

Christianity

Christmas begins with the season of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation, said Don Sevetson, interim conference minister for the United Church of Christ's Hawai'i conference. Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas (if Christmas falls on a Sunday, Advent begins four Sundays before).

"In the Samoan Christian culture, the period before Christmas is a time for reconciliation of differences," he noted.

Christian families decorate a Christmas tree, a tradition dating from the medieval Germany; light up their houses and yards; plan parties; and exchange gifts. Many family reunions include attendance at church services, to recount the story of the birth of Jesus.

Cultural differences mean that Christians celebrating Christmas often have special foods, songs, stories, and gift-giving practices that reflect their own traditions.

• • •


ISLAM JUDAISM CHRISTIANITY
What is it? Eid al-Fitr (sometimes spelled Eid ul-fitr or Eid el-fitr) Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) Christmas
Does the date change? Yes. It starts with the sighting of the first sliver of the crescent moon. Yes. In the Jewish (lunar) calendar, the eight-day holiday begins the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. No.
When is it this year? Today or tomorrow Dec. 19 to 26 Dec. 25
What does it celebrate? "Festival of fast-breaking," the first day of Shawaal, the 10th month in the Muslim calendar. It marks the end of a monthlong fast (Ramadan). It represents a victory for the right to worship freely and of the military victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
How many people take part and how is it celebrated? In Hawai'i about 500 to 2,000 Muslims attend the festival, often at a local park. This year it will be at 8:45 a.m. at Manoa District Park. Menorah-lighting ceremonies draw hundreds to each synagogue. Hundreds of thousands, even non-Christians, celebrate Santa and gift-giving. Church celebrations often include pageants that re-enact the Christmas story, plus a Christmas Eve service.
Any special food/ music/activities? Muslims are of many nationalities, so people bring delicacies from their countries. Latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil), jelly doughnuts and dairy products. Chocolate gelt, or coins, are often given to children. Hanukkah songs are sung, and these days, gifts are exchanged. Christmas carols, trees, cookies and pass the cranberry sauce for Christmas dinner.
Is there a Hallmark card for the occasion? Yes, as of this year. (Also, the Eid stamp made its debut in 2000.) Many. The first commercial Christmas cards were produced in England in 1843.
Sources: Hakim Ouansafi, Pearl Krasnjansky, Don Sevetson
Illustration by Martha P. Hernandez • The Honolulu Advertiser