Eid Freedom

While in other places in the world Muslims are celebrating the first day of Eid, Libya will begin Eid tomorrow. Each country marks the end of Ramadan by sighting the new moon and of course that varies from place to place according to weather conditions, etc. 

We had a very simple Ramadan this year. There were so many shortages because of the ongoing war. We had made sure to stockile supplies of basic foodstuffs long before Ramadan began but we still ran short of eggs, bread and fresh vegetables (especially parsley) toward the end of the month. It wasn't because they were unavailable, but because some things just became so expensive we refused to pay the rediculously elevated prices for them - especially parsley which is used in many Ramadan dishes which got up to four dinars for a tiny wilted bunch. We made do without. And because we had run out of gasoline we were unable to get fresh bread. The result was that we kept our meals simple and baked bread at home. Desserts were usually fresh fruit that was available on our farm or baked homemade cakes, cobblers and puddings. Imagine a Ramadan in Libya without zlabiyah! 

The social aspect of Ramadan had changed for us as well. Without gasoline it was impossible to visit anyone. My mother-in-law and  two of my sister-in-laws came over once and that was only because they had come to the farm when it became too dangerous to stay in their house in town. We stayed at home, watching tv, reading, sitting in the garden and listening to the war.

One of the traditions in Ramadan is shopping for new clothes to wear for Eid. We didn't do that at all this year. Earlier in the war I had bought some new clothes for Ibrahim and I had set aside two outfits so he will wear those. The rest of us will just wear something clean and nice. 

Kids also get toys for the feast and Ibrahim has been asking for a remote control car (he asks for this every year). Well, that will have to wait since we haven't been able to get to town to look for one yet. Also earlier in the war I had bought a few packages of hard candies and hidden them away - so I've got sweets to pass out for the kids. 

Eid will be simple this year, but we are thankful because it will be the most wonderful Eid Libya has seen in 42 years. Libya is free! 

Wishing everyone a very happy, peaceful and safe Eid.