Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir

Eid is the celebration following the end of the month of fasting and prayer, Ramadan. Eid, pronounced “eed,” literally means “feast.” As noted in Hijab Butch Blues, the full name of Eid is variously Eid al-Adha (feast of the sacrifice), Eid al Kabir, Qurbani ki Eid, and Bakra Eid. Lamya describes getting together with family and friends on Eid to eat large meals, play games, and celebrate together. It is a moment when she spends time with her family, even after she has moved to the United States. Her memoir emphasizes the significance of her decision to skip Eid celebrations with her family one year to spend the time with a girl she met at the Islamic Center instead. Later, Lamya and Liv showed their commitment to one another and Liv’s willingness to accept her family (and vice versa) when Liv went with Lamya to her family’s Eid celebrations.

Ramadan is a 30-day period of fasting and religious observance in Islam. During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not eat or drink during the day. Lamya describes it as “the month of virtue and restraint” (182). It is considered particularly holy during this time to read the entire Quran, which Lamya tries to do.