Often simply described as the "Christmas for Muslims" by many American Muslims today, Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that is celebrated worldwide and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, or the month full of fasting and prayer. Eid is a holiday my family and I have been celebrating for as long as I can remember. From decorating our house with lights, candles and confetti as a child to rejoicing with loved ones over beautiful traditional clothing, food and laughter, Eid al-Fitr has always been a joyous occasion that brought people together regardless of background, ethnicity and even strength of faith. As someone who's struggled with her views on religion and isn't the most practicing, I never felt uncomfortable celebrating Eid as this holiday signifies not how many nights of Taraweeh one has participated in or how many days one has fasted, but the union and warmth of the community around me. Everyone has different perspectives, traditions and personal relationships with the holiday that I wanted to investigate and commemorate within my community as the holiday just passed a few Fridays ago.

"Eid is a home away from home," recent high school graduate Zara Khan describes. "At Eid prayer, the ethnicities and cultures from all around the world come together to pray side to side. That is one of the most wonderful, inclusive parts of Eid. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you've done you are always accepted at Eid prayer, even complimented because Eid is the day that Muslims become your hype men."