They celebrated until the moon went down and the sun came up!
Thousands of people packed the streets of Kensington to mark the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan and herald the festival breaking their month-long fast — Eid al-Fitr — during the eighth annual Chand Raat Bazaar on July 5. Families from the community — sometimes called “Little Pakistan” for its high population of folks from the Islamic republic — gathered on Coney Island Avenue, and enjoyed traditional sweet dishes, singing, dancing, and gazing up at the new moon, which signals the start of the three-day Eid festival an organizer said.
“All night long we were there, I came home this morning around 6 am. It was packed,” said Bazah Roohi, founder of the American Council for Minority Women, which hosts the festival. “We celebrate the eve like Christmas Eve with friends and family. It’s the biggest celebration — it’s a great time.”
Muslim women showed off their best moves for a dance competition, donned their most stylish dresses for a fashion show, and belted their loudest for a singing competition, said Roohi.
And local shops lined the streets with racks of colorful dresses and shoes for last-minute shoppers looking to score gifts — an important tradition — for friends and family.
Kensington resident Anjum Quaid helped managed one of the clothing racks and said it was a lot of fun to celebrate with everyone.
“It was a lot of people and I enjoyed it,” said Anjum Quaid. “It was a very successful event.”
