By Rashid Alshakshir

MELBOURNE - Muslims in Melbourne joined others throughout the world at the weekend (Sept. 11-12) in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.

To listen to an audio report on the Eid festivities, download this mp3 file by "right clicking and save as ..."

The festivities were centred around the Town Hall in suburban Broadmeadows, and the Hume Global Learning Centre with crowds of people spilling into the adjoining car parks.

Along with the traditional feasting, there were rides for children and their parents, clothes stalls, show bags and "much more."

Something different this year this year was provided by by Zohab Khan, a Sydney-born Pakistani now living in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Zohab, 22, is in his final year of BA Human Resource Management studies at Charles Sturt University and believes Eid festivities should not just be celebrating with lots of food.

(Photo by Kirollos Greiss)

"Eid is a time to reflect on the month that has passed, highlight what you have  achieved spiritually and to try to spread as much happiness as possible," Zohab says.  "Of course it’s also a very family-oriented time, a time to have lots of fun with all those special people in your life."

Zohab, a finalist in the 2009 Australian Poetry Slamat who grew up in Wagga Wagga, wants to put his talent for writing rhymes to good use.

"My primary objective when writing is to enlighten people about things they don’t usually think about," he says.  "I focus on issues that are important to me - including my religion, ethnic identity and my rural upbringing. I’ve always had a thing for the underdog and many of my writings focus on those who are less fortunate. I’ve written about domestic violence, Palestine, the mportance of the family unit, and the occasional funny poem."

(Photo by Kirollos Greiss)

An example of the latter is a poem he wrote about the regional customs and moon sightings which cause confusion over the start of Eid, which depends on when the New Moon is first seen.

Moon sightings, moon sightings, moon sightings
Every year, it seems, I seem the same fighting, over moon sightings
The same back-biting, Astagfurlliah,
OK, I’ll admit it,
I reckon it’s a little exciting
Watching full-blown arguments igniting,
Bearded men shouting
Straight up doubting, the sighting of the moon.

Muslims begin the first day of Eid by giving money to the poor (Zakat).  The father of the household usually pays on behalf of every member of the family - even the unborn children of expectant mothers - and special foods are prepared for friends and relatives to join in the feast.

Zohab says: "giving the alms, by the poor and rich of all ages, allows the individual to self-purify, earn self-respect, give respect to those that receive it by acknowledging them as brothers in humanity and respect to God, because you acknowledge there are people who are worse off than you.

"It reminds us that our primary goal in life shouldn’t be to make as much money as we can, but rather to initiate as much positive change as we can."

And, while Eid is meant to be a joyous celebration involving family and friends, Zohab does not shy from the fact that the family unit may not always be sweetness and light.

"I want my words to touch as many hearts as possible," he says, as typified in a poem about domestic violence.

She loves her dad but when he gets mad he’s a different man,
Little Anna just doesn’t understand why this happens again and again,
As she listens to her mum’s cries,
A little part of Anna dies,
So sad inside, she finds a place to hide,
And thinks of a different life,
Away from fights and sleepless nights,
Where she shines bright
And the eyes of the world look at this girl,
And see a pearl.

Zohab has recently hosted a series of shows in Sydney and Melbourne and will be touring Malaysia in October to perform and conduct a series of workshops.

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/zohabk.