(ToledoMuslims.com)-February 1, 2004 will be remembered as the first time in the history of the world, that Superbowl Sunday coincided with the Muslim celebration of the Grand Eid. This has never happened previously and may never happen again.
Muslims celebrate two Eids annualy. The Minor Eid comes after the month of Fasting, Ramadan, while the Grand Eid marks the end of the Pilgrimage to Mecca. But this year, Eid will not be the usual Eid. Eid actually falls on the same day as the Superbowl.
The reason this has never happened previously is that the NFL only began having Superbowls in the 1960s. The Muslim and Jewish calendar runs on a lunar calendar and moves up by 11 days every year. Next year Eid will be 11 days earlier. The calendar relapses every 33 years. It may not be another 33 years for Eid to fall within the same week as the Superbowl, let alone on the same exact day.
"This is truly a remarkable day. I knew that Eid would fall within the same few days, but I never thought it would end up being the same exact day," said Mohammed Alo of ToledoMuslims.com.
"It's really amazing! Now I have two things to celebrate!"
As the Muslim population in America grows, so does awareness of American and Muslim traditions. The combination of Eid and Superbowl Sunday is perhaps one of the greatest overlaps that history may ever see. Imagine half a billion worldwide television viewers and over 1.5 billion Muslims all celebrating and enjoying life on the same day.
"It's a great time to be alive! We get to spend time with family, get a day or two off work, and watch what is shaping up to be one of the greatest Superbowls ever," continued Alo. "
Alo and his friends will be spending Superbowl Sunday not only praying Eid prayers, but preparing beef ribs, subs and pizza for their friends. Other Muslim families will be having similar get-togethers.
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