Eid, Commonwealth Mubarak & it'Scott to be his Birthday!

Eid Mubarak

The beginning of this week marked Eid-ul-Fitr which is a celebratory day at the end of the month of fasting; Ramadan. It's a day full of food, prayer, family (not necessarily in that order!) and most importantly gratitude.

The day usually starts of with Eid prayer at the mosque. If not already paid prior to Eid, Fitrana (also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr) is paid. This is a certain amount of money paid per person per household to the mosque. The amount can vary as it is based on how much 2.5kg of wheat costs. For example, a few years ago it was £2.50 and this year it's £5 per person.

The Fitrana money is then given and used by less fortunate Muslims to pay for any needs they may have for Eid. As Eid is a day of celebration for all Muslims, irrespective of wealth, therefore it is our duty to help others to celebrate it with us. For example, the money could help pay for a filling, Eid meal for a family or buy new clothes for them to wear.

After Eid prayers, the family gathers together to eat a banquet of food! And funnily enough, it's easy to think that now you can eat during the day that someone will have to pin you down to stop, but often you fill up quite quickly as your body is still used to the month of fasting.

Though physical presents can be given, money is often gifted from the elderly to the young (Eidi).So if you're a young'un with A LOT of elder relatives, be ready to collect millions as you run to the corner shop to buy yourself some millions!

As with anything, the novelty of Eid may start to rub off as you get older but either way, it's such a meaningful day where family come together, eat food and be merry!

Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ended this week. It just flew by! To be honest, I don't feel like I was even given enough time to breathe it all in and it's already ended.

What I do know though, is that England aren't all that bad at sport! ;)

(Taken from the official Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games website)

Hats off to the artist of this comic!

 

(Sorry, not sorry!)

The Andrew Scott Birthday Project

Last but most definitely not least, my friend who runs @andrwscttonline on Twitter launched the Andrew Scott Birthday project today.

Similar to what they did last year, Scotties are collectively making a birthday video to wish Andrew a Happy Birthday (which, might I add, he replied to in his own little video!).

Furthermore, similar to what was done for the Batch's Birthday, fans are raising money by donating to a charity. The charity for the Scott Project is Shaped Arts who supports the disabled within the arts and cultures sector. You can get involved and donate here.

Last time @andrwscttonline did a gift donation for Scott, it was earlier this year for Montage Theatre Arts who provide performing arts support for low-income families within their community. It managed to raise just over £700 and Andrew himself said that he would donate the matched amount from his fans to the charity which meant double the donation which is awesome!

Coincidentally, his birthday (October 21st) falls on the same date as my long-term, friend since childhood, friend of all friends' birthday! This is the friend who insisted I watched Sherlock last year just before Series 3 was announced hence introducing me to Andrew Scott! Been a fan ever since!

To get more information and get involved: Andrew Scott Birthday Project

That's all le updates from me for the week!
(Sometimes I think I'm French...I'm really not!)

Garder le Sourire xxx
(..totally didn't just Google Translate that...maybe...)