SAO PAULO: In a historic event, members of 17 mosques in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, came together for a unified Eid Al-Adha celebration on June 28. Approximately 3,000 people gathered at a private venue in Sao Bernardo do Campo, on the outskirts of the city, marking a significant moment for the local Muslim community.
The initiative was spearheaded by Omar Mohamad Hindi, president of the Esporte Clube Sultan, a social and sports club founded by Muslim immigrants from the Lebanese village of Sultan Yacoub. Hindi expressed his desire to bring the community closer together and promote a joint celebration to foster unity and inclusivity among Muslims in Sao Paulo.
Traditionally, each community organized its own separate celebrations, a result of the settlement patterns of Levantine immigrants who arrived in Sao Paulo since the late 19th century. Syrian-born Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, a prominent Muslim leader in Brazil, explained that immigrants would initially arrive alone and subsequently invite their relatives to join them, often providing financial support.
The establishment of multiple mosques in different neighborhoods reflected the initial divisions among the immigrant groups, with worshippers primarily originating from specific regions in the Levant. However, demographic shifts, including younger generations moving away from traditional neighborhoods, new waves of Muslim immigrants from various parts of Asia and Africa, and conversions to Islam among non-Arab Brazilians, have transformed the composition of most Muslim communities.
Importance of Unified Eid Al-Adha Celebrations
Recognizing the need to embrace the Muslim community as a whole, regardless of individual origins or family proximity, Sheikh Hammadeh stressed the importance of a unified Eid Al-Adha celebration. Omar Mohamad Hindi worked tirelessly with the mosques, visiting 17 of them over the past two months to extend invitations and encourage participation.
Community efforts were crucial to the success of the celebration. Some communities provided financial support by purchasing additional tickets and distributing them to underprivileged Muslim families. Mosques, companies, and individuals made donations, contributing to a raffle held during the event. The Sultan club arranged for 10 buses to transport people to the venue free of charge.
The event was hailed as a tremendous success, reuniting individuals who had not seen each other in years and providing a warm welcome to Muslims living alone in Sao Paulo. Attendees prayed together, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. The celebration showcased the diversity of the Muslim community, with participants from Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Syria, Mozambique, and converted Brazilians.
Sheikh Mustafa Anis Orra, who has been leading a mosque in the Interlagos neighborhood for three decades, expressed joy at celebrating the important holiday alongside fellow Muslims from different cultural backgrounds. He emphasized that despite cultural differences, the shared goal of worshipping Allah unifies the community.
For Mohamad Malam Dabo, a Bissau-Guinean completing a master’s degree in linguistics at the University of Sao Paulo, the unified celebration provided a unique and memorable experience. Away from his home country for five years, he missed the traditional Eid Al-Adha celebrations with his relatives. Attending the event allowed him to feel at home among the larger Muslim community in Sao Paulo and strengthened his connection with fellow believers.
The celebration not only brought joy and renewed energy to the Muslim community but also highlighted the strength and unity that exist within Sao Paulo’s diverse Muslim population. Despite living in a country without a Muslim majority, the presence of a vibrant community in Sao Paulo provides support and a sense of belonging to Muslims like Mohamad Malam Dabo and his colleagues.
