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‘Eat, Pray, Love’: The Colorful Celebration of Eid al-Adha at UIII

Eid al-Adha, the revered Islamic festival known as the Feast of Sacrifice, brought its radiant charm to Universitas Islam International Indonesia (UIII) on June 29, 2023. The Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin Mosque transformed into a metaphorical place, where a tapestry of cultures interwove in an enchanting display of eating, praying, and sharing love.

The day started with prayers, where both local and international students flocked to the mosque, not only to perform Eid Prayer but also to commemorate the ‘love and sacrifice’ made by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Prophet Ismail. After the prayer, the students were graciously served a delectable feast brimming with savory meats—things that Eid al-Adha often associated with.

Amidst the aromas of delicious feasts, the rhythm of prayers, and the unity of love from fellow UIII students, the gathering was not just a celebration but also an enriching buffet of cultural understanding, fostering a deeper appreciation for global diversity.  

Nihad Ashraf, a student from Zambia observed the stark differences in Eid celebrations between her homeland and Indonesia. "Celebrating Eid in Indonesia is quite different from Zambia. Zambia, being a majority Christian nation, does not have a public holiday on Eid. [Thus], the festive vibe here gave me a taste of an entirely different culture," she noted.

Despite the geographical distance, Nihad found a spiritual connection from praying within the diversity of the Muslim community in Indonesia. "Praying at the mosque here reminded me of home where we have people from different places. It's the same feeling of unity and shared spirituality," she reflected.

Further, Mohammed Ahmed Ali Al-Aini from Yemen admired the display of cultural heritage during the celebrations at UIII. He found the experience an effective catalyst for shaping his perspective on global unity and multicultural understanding, which resonates with the theme of love.

"It's nice to see so many students wearing their country's traditional costume and greeting in their own way. Celebrating Eid al-Adha at UIII has been a powerful catalyst for shaping my outlook on global unity and multicultural understanding," he reflected.

Similarly, Magello Rainer Fenis from the Philippines and Hamad Shoukat from Pakistan echoed this sentiment. They highlighted the valuable opportunity to broaden their cultural understanding, reiterating that despite cultural and religious differences, universal values bring us together in a shared 'love' for humanity.

"Celebrating Eid al-Adha with my fellow UIII mates allowed me to appreciate the building of understanding across different faiths and cultures," stated Magello. "This experience has made me realize that diversity should be cherished and celebrated, as it enriches our understanding of the world and promotes unity among different communities," said Hamad.

Lastly, Naveedullah Alokozay from Afghanistan saw the experience as a journey of discovery. The experience deepened his appreciation for diversity and broadened his perspective on multiculturalism, fostering a sense of global harmony. 

"For me, celebrating Eid al-Adha in Indonesia has been an extraordinary journey of discovering the power of global unity and multicultural understanding," he said. 

The Eid al-Adha celebration at UIII was a vibrant embodiment of 'Eat, Pray, Love' as in Julia Robert’s movie. Local and international students of UIII gathered in harmonious unison, indulging in a delightful array of experiences that opened new vistas of understanding and deepened the bonds of friendship.

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