Hamilton-area Muslim students call 1st ever Eid al-Fitr celebration at school needed recognition

Hana Bhat said she's been counting down the days for the past two months.

The Grade 9 Waterdown District High School student was thinking about what to wear and who she might meet at the school's first ever Eid al-Fitr celebration.

"I've never done anything big like this with my school friends," she told CBC Hamilton on Friday.

She was among over 60 students from Waterdown High and Orchard Park Secondary School who celebrated together.

Eid al-Fitr was officially earlier this month, on May 2. It marks the end of the month of Ramadan, which sees Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset. Eid al-Fitr is usually observed with prayers, sharing of food and communal gatherings.

Farhanna Khan, who teaches food and nutrition at Orchard Park and introduction to anthropology, psychology, and sociology at Waterdown, coordinated the event. She formed a committee and got students involved.

"I want to be able to give them something I didn't have in the school," Khan said.

The public school board has had to reckon with bullying in its schools, some of which has targeted Muslims students and those from other equity-seeking communities.

Khan said she wanted to hold the event to change the perception people have of the Muslim community. The event also spurred Orchard Park's first-ever Muslim Student Association, she said.

Students want yearly Eid al-Fitr event

The students ate, danced, played sports and card games.

There was also a speech and prayer led by students Shayyan Husein and Ayaan Musani respecively. Husein explained why being charitable, bettering yourself and radiating kindness are important.

Sixteen-year-old Orchard Park student Mohammed Asif said he was surprised by the turnout.

While he said he was eyeing the doughnuts and the basketball court, the event was special to him.

"There's not been a lot of recognition for this holiday so while throwing this party, I'm happy people are recognizing we celebrate it."

Grade 12 student Mehak Ali called the event refreshing because she feels there isn't much Muslim representation within staff.

"It's going to be really memorable," she said of the event.

Aleen Khan, her friend, said the gathering helps school friends celebrate together, rather than only celebrating with family.

Many of the students at the event said they hope it becomes a yearly event.

Khan said she wants that too and says it'll be even bigger next time.

She also said she hopes it will serve as a model for other schools and may even inspire higher levels of government to have school boards observe Eid al-Fitr and other days of significance. 

Waterdown principal Theresa Sgambato said if the students want a yearly Eid al-Fitr event, they'll get it.

Bhat hopes so.

"Eventually new Grade 9s are going to come to our school and I really want them to have the chance to experience something like this," she said.