In Egypt… Exile Dims Sudanese Migrants’ Eid Joy

Cairo – Nazik Shamam
For the third consecutive year in a row, a significant number of Sudanese migrants are spending Eid outside the country due to the war ignited by the Rapid Support Forces militia in April 2023.

The war has displaced an estimated 12 million people to neighboring countries and some safer states. Some have managed to return to their hometowns, but the majority remains abroad.

In Egypt, where more than two million have migrated or sought refuge since the war, tens of thousands of them performed the Eid prayer today in various mosques in the capital, Cairo, after the completion of the Holy month of Ramadan.

Following Eid prayers at Al-Ghufran Mosque in the Tenth District of Nasr City, Sudanese national Sheikh Idris said, “Despite the passing years, we miss the details of Eid in Sudan.” Idris confirmed to Sudanhorizon, that” This Eid will be our last in Egypt, God willing, as we will be returning soon,” emphasizing that “returning to Sudan has become an urgent need.”

Hala Ibrahim, for her part, affirmed that despite the years that have passed, Eid in Sudan is irreplaceable. In an interview with Sudanhorizon, she noted that although Egyptian and Sudanese customs and cultures are similar, homesickness overshadows the joy of Eid. She expressed her hope that peace and security will prevail in Sudan and that its people will be able to go home.

The Eid sermon at Al-Ghufran Mosque addressed the virtues of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, the importance of upholding the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and supplications for God to remove the affliction from the Muslim world and to spread peace and harmony among its people.

Several worshippers at the mosque distributed sweets. The games played by the children reflected the harmony and solidarity between different peoples.

At the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque in Dokki, hundreds of Sudanese exchanged Eid greetings after performing the Eid prayer this morning. Kawthar Ali emphasized the importance of observing the rituals of Eid after the month of fasting. She said that, “Despite being away from home, we must celebrate Eid with the joy it deserves, in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet.”

She added, “We miss Sudan and the details of Eid, but life must continue.” She indicated her desire to return home, but her health condition prevents her from doing so at the moment.

Al-Sir Abdullah explained that Eid in Egypt is not very different from Eid in Sudan, but told Sudanhorizon that “We naturally cling to our pure Sudanese traditions, and therefore we miss home during holidays and special occasions.”

He predicted that the Sudanese presence in Egypt will decrease next Eid as most Sudanese will return to their homeland.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=12232