What is Eidfest?
Eidfest was initiated as a way of bringing together all of the different Muslim cultures in Queensland to celebrate the festive day of Eid to mark the end the fasting month of Ramadhan. Open to everyone, Eidfest provides the Muslim community with an opportunity to showcase Islam and Muslim culture, entrepreneurship, industriousness and commitment to the wider community.
Eidfest commenced in 2005 and the concept was a first for Queensland, it is now the biggest Muslim festival in Queensland.
When is Eidfest on?
In 2011 Eidfest is on Saturday September 3. The fasting month should finish on either the 30th or 31st August depending on the moon sighting. Every year the dates for Eidfest will change in accordance with the month of ramadhan which moves forward approximately 10 days each year.
What happens at Eidfest?
Eidfest is a festival like others in many ways, but also quite unique, variety would have to be the key to its success with a number of different options available to keep everyone entertained.
Stalls
There are always a number of stalls with exotic foods, clothing, Islamic products, and many other goods and services available to wander around and enjoy. A number of stall holders travel from interstate each year to attend Eidfest, and apart from walking away with bargains, you can get your hand painted with henna, enjoy the multicultural foods on offer and learn more about the Muslim community.
Rides
There are also the latest rides for young and old and what has now become part of Eidfest our famous camel rides.
Demonstrations
We also have during the day a number of cooking demonstrations showing a variety of cooking techniques from a number international menus. The cooking demonstrations have proved to be very popular and a great way to learn new recipes from around the world. We have also had demonstrations on Islamic calligraphy and other art forms.
Forums / Talks
Eidfest has also become popular for its forums and talks. Talking on issues including Assylum seekers and refugees, Sufism, Building bridges in Islam, Amnesty International talks to survivors of the Gaza Flotilla raid, and Sandy McCutheon talking about the Pakistanis flood crisis. One of our most popular guests has been Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan who spoke candidly about the political situation in his home country and Muslim countries around the world. Get involved or just sit back and listen to the informative speakers on stage but you're bound to walk away more knowledgable and surprised.
Book Launches
We have had the pleasure of hosting two book launches at Eidfest. Hanifa Deen spoke on her book 'The Jihad Seminar' and Irfan Yusuf promoted his book 'Once were radicals'
Entertainers
On the main stage we have a number of artists from a variety of Muslim cultures ready to entertain. We have had performers from a number of different cultures including Indonesian, Sudanese, Turkish, Somalian, Indian, Fijian, Ghana, and Afghanistan, as well as a number of local and interstate performers. We have had choirs, musicians, and poets. Also people singing religious qawwalis, and nasheeds and even rappers singing inspirational words.
Special Guests
Each year Eidfest is humbled to have some special guests joining us including:
Imran Khan
The Govenor of Queensland
Hazem El Masri
Gordon Tallis
Ben Hannant
Ahmed Imam
Hanifa Deen
Irfan Yusuf
Justin Hodges
Sharif Deen
Not to mention local, state and federal politician, our performers, and our community.
Eidfest was initiated as a way of bringing together all of the different Muslim cultures in Queensland to celebrate the festive day of Eid to mark the end the fasting month of Ramadhan. Open to everyone, Eidfest provides the Muslim community with an opportunity to showcase Islam and Muslim culture, entrepreneurship, industriousness and commitment to the wider community.
Eidfest commenced in 2005 and the concept was a first for Queensland, it is now the biggest Muslim festival in Queensland.
When is Eidfest on?
In 2011 Eidfest is on Saturday September 3. The fasting month should finish on either the 30th or 31st August depending on the moon sighting. Every year the dates for Eidfest will change in accordance with the month of ramadhan which moves forward approximately 10 days each year.
What happens at Eidfest?
Eidfest is a festival like others in many ways, but also quite unique, variety would have to be the key to its success with a number of different options available to keep everyone entertained.
Stalls
There are always a number of stalls with exotic foods, clothing, Islamic products, and many other goods and services available to wander around and enjoy. A number of stall holders travel from interstate each year to attend Eidfest, and apart from walking away with bargains, you can get your hand painted with henna, enjoy the multicultural foods on offer and learn more about the Muslim community.
Rides
There are also the latest rides for young and old and what has now become part of Eidfest our famous camel rides.
Demonstrations
We also have during the day a number of cooking demonstrations showing a variety of cooking techniques from a number international menus. The cooking demonstrations have proved to be very popular and a great way to learn new recipes from around the world. We have also had demonstrations on Islamic calligraphy and other art forms.
Forums / Talks
Eidfest has also become popular for its forums and talks. Talking on issues including Assylum seekers and refugees, Sufism, Building bridges in Islam, Amnesty International talks to survivors of the Gaza Flotilla raid, and Sandy McCutheon talking about the Pakistanis flood crisis. One of our most popular guests has been Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan who spoke candidly about the political situation in his home country and Muslim countries around the world. Get involved or just sit back and listen to the informative speakers on stage but you're bound to walk away more knowledgable and surprised.
Book Launches
We have had the pleasure of hosting two book launches at Eidfest. Hanifa Deen spoke on her book 'The Jihad Seminar' and Irfan Yusuf promoted his book 'Once were radicals'
Entertainers
On the main stage we have a number of artists from a variety of Muslim cultures ready to entertain. We have had performers from a number of different cultures including Indonesian, Sudanese, Turkish, Somalian, Indian, Fijian, Ghana, and Afghanistan, as well as a number of local and interstate performers. We have had choirs, musicians, and poets. Also people singing religious qawwalis, and nasheeds and even rappers singing inspirational words.
Special Guests
Each year Eidfest is humbled to have some special guests joining us including:
Imran Khan
The Govenor of Queensland
Hazem El Masri
Gordon Tallis
Ben Hannant
Ahmed Imam
Hanifa Deen
Irfan Yusuf
Justin Hodges
Sharif Deen
Not to mention local, state and federal politician, our performers, and our community.
