Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrated with Religious Zeal in Texas – Massive Community Participation in Chand Raat Festival
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Texas: Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with deep religious devotion and enthusiasm across various cities in Texas, including major hubs like Houston and Dallas. In Houston, numerous mosques hosted Eid prayer gatherings, with the largest congregation taking place at Masjid Al-Mustafa. Similarly, in Dallas, over 60 mosques held Eid prayers, where religious scholars emphasized the importance of adhering to Islamic teachings throughout the year and offered special prayers for the Muslim Ummah.
On this joyous occasion, Muslims embraced one another, exchanged greetings, and showcased unity and brotherhood. Many also visited graveyards to offer prayers for their deceased loved ones.
Prior to Eid, Dallas hosted a grand Chand Raat Festival, where a large number of community members actively participated. Women indulged in shopping, applied henna, and engaged in last-minute Eid preparations. Meanwhile, across the United States, Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat and Shia communities observed Eid on the second day.
Under the management of Inamullah Sherwani and Saad Khan, another Chand Raat Festival was held in Plano, offering a unique festive atmosphere. Women enjoyed shopping and getting henna applied, while the event provided a one-stop shopping experience under a single roof, featuring entertainment for children and a henna application station.
One of the highlights of the event was the participation of Amber Ayub, a former Pakistani model and actress, who set up her own boutique stall. She expressed satisfaction with the event’s turnout, noting that vendors were also pleased with the strong community engagement.
Sherwani, the organizer of the Chand Raat Festival, expressed his gratitude to the community for making the event a success. Nasir Siddiqui from Hub Entertainment and community leader Nadeem Zaman praised the festival, calling it a perfect blend of entertainment and music. Despite rain and unfavorable weather conditions, the enthusiasm of attendees remained unshaken. The venue was packed, and people of all age groups continued celebrating Eid festivities late into the night.
The Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Houston and Dallas reflected love, unity, and happiness. The Chand Raat Festival brought joy and excitement to people of all ages, spreading happiness and togetherness throughout the community.
