Top tips to enjoy Eid ul-Fitr if you have sight or hearing loss

If you or someone you know has sight or hearing loss, we’re here to help you enjoy Eid ul-Fitr and have a wonderful Eid Mubarak. Read on to discover our top tips for celebrating Eid safely.

What is Eid ul-Fitr and why is it important?

Eid ul-Fitr is the first festival in the Islamic calendar and comes after Ramadan. It starts with the sighting of the new moon at Mecca and can last for two or three days.

Eid is a time for celebration after a month of fasting and prayer during the holy month of Ramadan. The main event during Eid is usually a large meal, with friends and family coming together to celebrate and feast at each other’s homes.  Gifts are traditionally given during Eid, so it’s also an especially exciting time for children.

Celebrating Eid ul-Fitr if you have sensory loss

Having any form of sensory loss should not mean that you miss out of any of the Eid festivities. If you support someone who struggles with their sight or hearing, you can help make Eid safer and more accessible for them as well. A few small adjustments can go a long way.

Here are a few ideas to help everyone have a wonderful Eid Mubarak!

Be prepared ahead of time

Your daily routine will probably change during Eid – for example, with the traditional visit to the mosque for Eid prayers or with relatives coming over to offer Eid greetings. Keep extra batteries for your hearing aids and lens cleaner for your glasses nearby.

Arrange travel plans to the mosque

If you’re going to the mosque for Eid prayers, try to sort your travel plans well in advance. You could arrange to travel with a family member or close friend who you are comfortable with. Give yourself more time to travel if the mosque is further away.

Keep the lights on and reduce background noise

Celebrations during Eid mean that visitors may stay well into the evening, and activities could continue for longer. Keeping the lights on can make it easier for you to get around. If you’re living with family, remind them to keep the background noise to a minimum. This could mean turning the volume on the television or radio down.

Add some colour to your table settings during Eid

Coloured plates and glasses can make it easier for people with vision loss to enjoy the Eid meal.

Whether you’re hosting or attending an Eid meal, consider using coloured glasses to help distinguish between water and soft drinks. You could also use darker plates to help your food stand out more from the plate. If guests are serving for you, ask them to arrange food like a ‘clock face’ – for example, samosas at 12 o’clock, yogurt at 3 o’clock and salad at 6 o’clock.

Buy your Eid shopping online

Consider doing your Eid shopping online if the thought of going to the shops is overwhelming. You could ask a friend or family member to help you choose food and gifts or use the accessibility settings on your devices. Many websites, including Amazon, can also gift wrap your presents for a small charge.

Top tip: Deafblind UK can help you set up your phone, computer, or tablet so that you can shop independently. You can find out more about our technology support on our website.

…or do your shopping all in one!

If online shopping isn’t for you, lots of shops now have ‘quiet hours’ with lower lighting, less noise and fewer people.

Many supermarkets, including Asda and Tesco, stock all the things you may need during Eid – including flour, oil, rice and even Halal meat. It may be easier to do all your shopping at one supermarket and have it delivered to your home, rather than trying to find individual items in different shops.

Supporting grandparents and older people during Eid

Many older people with sight and hearing loss will celebrate Eid this weekend. If you’re spending time with someone who struggles with their sight or hearing, here are a few small things you can do which might make all the difference to their experience:

• Introduce yourself clearly when you enter the room
• Describe your Eid gifts so the other person can build a picture of them
• Reduce exterior noise – turn down the TV or radio volume.

At Deafblind UK, we offer a wide range of practical and emotional support for people living with sight and hearing loss. You can find out more about our services here.