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On Monday, hundreds of Muslims in Lincoln, including refugees recently arrived from Afghanistan, gathered to celebrate the end of Ramadan, their month-long fast. The celebration is called Eid al-Fitr.
Nearly 2,000 Muslims wore celebratory garments in a large indoor soccer field. They prayed to give thanks for a month of fasting and seeking divine forgiveness. Imam Dr. Ibrahim Alkli said this year is special because about 200 new families from Afghanistan are celebrating their first Eid away from their home country.
"Everyone wants to spend that time with their families, with their loved ones," he said. "So, the fact that they’re away and they cannot do that, we were hoping that we provided to them some sort of alternative by seeing other Muslims and celebrating with them, hugging them and embracing them and telling them that they're welcome. And also, by trying to help them with all the means that we have."
Part of the charity they received on Eid will go to helping refugees settle in Nebraska, Imam said.
"Muslim or non Muslims, we're all brothers in humanity. We're brothers in the nation," he said. "We should all help one another to build our society, our nation, and do anything that will promote peace and goodness for our nation, and also promote respecting each other's religion and ideas and faith."
Eid al-Fitr means the celebration of breaking the fast. Tarik Houti translated for the Imam.