[MES Forum] 'Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz This Week

Wed Mar 18 12:05:15 EDT 2026

[heart]         Aljuran, Aidah reacted to your message:
________________________________
From: Middleeaststudiesforum <middleeaststudiesforum-bounces+nasser.57=osu.edu at lists.osu.edu> on behalf of McClimans, Melinda via Middleeaststudiesforum <middleeaststudiesforum at lists.osu.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 1:00:00 PM
To: MES Forum Middle East Studies Center <middleeaststudiesforum at lists.osu.edu>
Subject: [MES Forum] 'Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz This Week

MES Forum, Across cultures and faiths, we value bringing people together to express gratitude, generosity, reflection on our family ties and communities. Eid al‑Fitr and Nowruz express important aspects these universal ideals.  This year, Eid begins at sundown on Thursday, March 19, and continues through Friday, March 20, the same day many will also celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

Marking the close of Ramadan, 'Eid al-Fitr is a day of thanksgiving, prayer, and joy after a month devoted to fasting, reflection, and renewal. Its traditions express generosity through zakat al‑fitr, the charitable giving that ensures everyone can share in the celebration. These practices reflect community through gathering with loved ones, sharing meals and sweets, and extending kindness to neighbors and those in need.

Nowruz emphasizes letting go of the past, making amends, and connecting with loved ones. Jumping over the fire with hands held, we move forward together in a spirit of forgiveness. The haft-sin's green sprouts, garlic, apples, vinegar, sumac, wheat pudding, mirror, candles, painted eggs, coins, flowers, and sometimes a “book of wisdom,” symbolize renewal, health, abundance, light, and reflection.

With spring’s arrival, these holidays remind us of the cycles of light, growth, and connection that renew our spirits and our sense of community.

To all who are observing Eid, celebrating Nowruz, or simply sharing in the spirit of renewal that this season brings, we wish you peace, joy, and meaningful connection.

Best wishes,

Melinda McClimans, PhD
Assistant Director
The Ohio State University
International Affairs Middle East Studies Center
145 Enarson Classroom Building, 2009 Millikin Rd, Columbus Ohio 43210
614-292-6506 Office / 614-292-5897 Office
mcclimans.2 at osu.edu<mailto:mcclimans.2 at osu.edu> mesc.osu.edu<http://mesc.osu.edu/>

Sources and Related Readings
[1] Everything You Need To Know About Eid al-Fitr - PCRF https://www.pcrf.net/information-you-should-know/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eid-al-fitr.html<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.pcrf.net/information-you-should-know/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eid-al-fitr.html__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlQJUttN2w$>
[2] Zakat al Fitr: When and How to Fulfill this Duty - IQRA Network https://iqranetwork.com/blog/zakat-al-fitr-your-essential-guide-to-fulfilling-a-key-islamic-duty/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://iqranetwork.com/blog/zakat-al-fitr-your-essential-guide-to-fulfilling-a-key-islamic-duty/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlTgQsV4fA$>
[3] A Practical Guide To Eid al-Fitr 2026: Prayer, Zakat And Celebrations https://sandytimes.ae/culture/4489-a-practical-guide-to-eid-al-fitr-2026-prayer-zakat-and-celebrations<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://sandytimes.ae/culture/4489-a-practical-guide-to-eid-al-fitr-2026-prayer-zakat-and-celebrations__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlQL7YRBFA$>
[4] Eid al-Fitr: Celebration, Sunnah, and Spiritual Significance https://alsarhacademy.com/eid-al-fitr/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://alsarhacademy.com/eid-al-fitr/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlSDIXDD6A$>
[5] Eid al-Fitr: A Celebration of Gratitude and Community - MATW Project https://matwproject.org/islamic-charity/eid-al-fitr-2024/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://matwproject.org/islamic-charity/eid-al-fitr-2024/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlSo__qwkA$>
[6] The Purpose of Zakat al-Fitr - IslamOnline https://islamonline.net/en/the-purpose-of-zakat-al-fitr/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://islamonline.net/en/the-purpose-of-zakat-al-fitr/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlS_NUfPNQ$>
[7] How to Celebrate Eid ul Fitr in the Islamic Way - Sedekahsg https://singaporesedekah.com/pages/how-to-celebrate-eid-ul-fitr-in-the-islamic-way<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://singaporesedekah.com/pages/how-to-celebrate-eid-ul-fitr-in-the-islamic-way__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlRfbGPXnA$>
[8] Ramadan Month: Reflection, Fasting & Giving | Lakshmi Stores UK https://www.lakshmistores.com/blogs/news/ramadan-kareem-reflection-fasting-giving<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lakshmistores.com/blogs/news/ramadan-kareem-reflection-fasting-giving__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlScjh06bA$>
[9] Ramadan: The Blessed Month of Giving and Compassion https://foih.de/ramadan-the-blessed-month-of-giving-and-compassion/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://foih.de/ramadan-the-blessed-month-of-giving-and-compassion/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlQgO3qO7g$>
[10] Ramadan: A Month of Mercy, Generosity, and Shared Light As the ... https://www.facebook.com/TheTutuLegacy/posts/ramadan-a-month-of-mercy-generosity-and-shared-light-as-the-moon-is-sighted-and-/1320186746810185/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/TheTutuLegacy/posts/ramadan-a-month-of-mercy-generosity-and-shared-light-as-the-moon-is-sighted-and-/1320186746810185/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlTnOfPXMg$>
[11] Nowruz: Persian new year celebration of renewal and unity goes ... https://www.greylockglass.com/nowruz-persian-new-year-celebration-of-renewal-and-unity-goes-global/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.greylockglass.com/nowruz-persian-new-year-celebration-of-renewal-and-unity-goes-global/__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlQYhyuEJw$>
[12] The story of the Iranian new year, Nowruz, and why its themes of ... https://theconversation.com/the-story-of-the-iranian-new-year-nowruz-and-why-its-themes-of-renewal-and-healing-matter-156701<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://theconversation.com/the-story-of-the-iranian-new-year-nowruz-and-why-its-themes-of-renewal-and-healing-matter-156701__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlSF0evL_w$>
[13] Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Celebrates Renewal and Rebirth https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/world/middleeast/nowruz-iran-persian-new-year.html<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/world/middleeast/nowruz-iran-persian-new-year.html__;!!KGKeukY!2u58-Tyj-3h61a7az32f1lP9mbfHLURTkgKrGqEsTR-tuWWrcI_xsXLRZcQ_l0UvSCVjHiueszQoHootzvz82QzXnlSTi7Eqbg$>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.osu.edu/pipermail/middleeaststudiesforum/attachments/20260318/35befc9a/attachment-0001.html>