Hundreds celebrate Muslim festival

Geraldton's Islamic community dressed in an array of colour last week to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

They were joined by Muslims from as far as the Cocos Islands, as hundreds crowded into the local mosque.

George Road was filled with cars and the community had to erect additional marquees to deal with the overflow of people who had come to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the official end of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and marks the time of year the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

It involves not eating or drinking during daylight hours for the entire month.

Islamic Association of Geraldton president and Imam Daftie Abdul-Kudus said Eid al-Fitr was a reward and celebration for the effort put into a fast.

“Eid means victory — we say this because you have been through all the requirements set for you,” he said.

“You’ve sacrificed yourself and your time, and at the end of it you come together with a community who has been through the same as you.”

Proceedings for Eid al-Fitr began with a prayer at 8am followed by a half-hour sermon.

“The sermon was about what is happening overseas and not to be influenced by the bad teachings of Islam,” Mr Abdul-Kudus said.

As well as local Muslims, the service attracted people from the Cocos Islands and Malaysia as well as Katanning, Perth and Port Hedland.

Zahir Anderson converted to the Muslim faith at 18 and had recently returned to Geraldton after a five-year stint in Sydney.

The now 24-year-old said Ramadan gave an appreciation for those around the world who could not afford to eat.

“Ramadan makes you appreciate things we take for granted and puts you in the position of the less fortunate,” he said.

Mr Abdul-Kudus said the celebrations would continue for the next month.

“Today is a special service at the mosque but for the next month we will visit people at their homes,” he said.

“This is the time of year which brings you closer to the community.”