Shawdesh Desk: Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fiṭr means “to break-fast”; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.

On June 15, 2019 the Bangladesh Association of Greater Kansas City (BAGKC) celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr at the Roeland Park Community Center in Kansas. The event included a cultural program where children and adults alike participated along with a sumptuous dinner catered by Sahara Mediterranean Grill. Invitation for the event was sent out to all BAGKC members via email and personal phone calls. Lots of emails were sent to members reminding them of the upcoming Eid reunion on Saturday, June 15. Also members were urged to visit our Website or Facebook for updated information. A Google worksheet was set up for the headcount.

BAGKC executive committee members organized this great event. It took lot of effort from the executive committee members along with general members to come up with ideas for the Eid-ul-Fitr event. Before the event, several meetings of the executive committee were held to assign responsibilities to each member groups. These included selecting cultural program and its’ participants, lunch/dinner caterer and the menu, stage decoration, sound system set-up, room set-up for attendees etc. etc. Parallel to these, several rehearsals by children and adults were held to ensure a smooth and fun filled event.

In the late afternoon, after all the members arrived, dinner was served. Many members who were not in the executive committee gave their valuable time along with executive committee members in welcoming members as they entered the event hall, setting up food serving tables, serving all the guests with food, drinks and desserts. Self-service tea was provided. Gifts were wrapped and given to children for the Eid celebration.
The cultural program was very entertaining. Good food, great ambience, tremendous learning, great interaction, and everything that we witnessed had been just perfect. Events like these will enable us to strengthen the bond that exists between each one of us. After the dinner, the cultural program began with recitation of surahs, followed by performances that included songs, recitations, and dances by children. Adults also participated in singing.
The president of BAGKC introduced all members of the executive committee and thanked all who were present. The event was a great success.