In case you didn’t already know, one of the most important times of year is approaching for those who practice the Muslin faith: Eid al-Adha. The holiday is the final (and most important) celebration in the Islamic lunar calendar. Among other things, it marks the end of Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca and other nearby cities—a trip that any Muslim who is healthy enough and financially capable of performing is expected to do at least once in their lifetime.
That said, regardless of their respective locations, Eid is a special moment for Muslims around the world. It’s a day for family, food, and sacred celebration—which is why thirteen lune wants to highlight the brands and founders who practice the Muslim faith and want to spread the joy, generosity, and togetherness partnered with Eid.
The following are insights from two thirteen lune beauty insiders, Minara El-Rahman, founder of Mora Cosmetics, and Jordan Karim, founder of Flora & Noor, on the role that Eid plays in their lives, how non-Muslim people celebrate the holiday, their personal traditions, and more.
What is the significance of Eid and is it something you look forward to each year?
Minara El-Rahman: Eid is a holiday that emphasizes love for one another. Since charity is an integral part of each Eid, Muslims are encouraged to feed the needy on this day. The day is about community: we gather in the morning to pray while wearing our best clothes. The thing I look forward to the most is seeing everyone in our community after the prayer! We greet each other and hug one another. Since the pandemic, this hasn't been possible, so I truly look forward to seeing our respected elders and squeezing our little ones a little tighter this year.
Jordan Karim: Eid takes place on the tenth day of the last month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. It is directly translated as the “Celebration of Sacrifice” and is a representation of events written about in the Quran. On this day, I look forward to spending time with family and praying together with our extended family, as well as getting dressed up in our new outfits that we will all wear to celebrate and look our absolute best, including the kids. I love to match as a family!
What are some of your favorite personal or family traditions surrounding the holiday?
ME: All Muslims are encouraged to take the time to groom and wear your best clothes. So personally, I take the time to get ready with some of my favorite thirteen lune brands so that I can look my best. The night before Eid, I like to prep my skin with Pholk Beauty's Glow Replenish Face Wash and the Werkacita Beauty Balm. In the morning, I will replenish my skin with the Aloe Lemon Balm Face Mist, and a moisturizer. Once I put on my shalwar kameez — traditional Southeast Asian dress — I like to match my vibrant outfits by using the Satin Sheen Multistick in Hyped on my lips and cheeks topped with Glosshood Holyyy lip gloss, and using eyeshadow from Prados Beauty. Once I am done getting ready, it's time to ooh and aah over everyone's outfits and makeup. It's definitely a celebration of color!
JK: My favorite family traditions are cooking large meals together and hanging lanterns, strand lights, and lamps throughout the house as well as giving gifts to all the kids.
Are there any specific foods you love to make or share?
ME: With my Bangladeshi roots, our family makes special food dishes to eat on the morning of Eid. For Eid al-Adha, we make meat filled pastries called samosas, a sweet and creamy vermicelli dish called shemai, and of course a meat curry with flaky delicious bread, known as parathas.
JK: My favorite meals to make are tabbouleh, which is a salad, lamb, and samekah harrah, which is a fish dish.
How does your Muslim identity and culture inform your brand?
ME: I always pull from my faith as I build this beauty brand. It is a part of me and will always be a part of Mora Cosmetics. Muslims believe we are stewards of the earth. This means that we are responsible for taking care of the environment. That is why at Mora Cosmetics, we strive to make our packaging sustainable, use clean formulas that are not only halal, but vegan, and use ingredients responsibly. Halal makeup isn't just for Muslims, they are for everyone. We want to ensure that anyone who uses Mora Cosmetics knows that what they are using will not just enhance their beauty, but will also not harm them or the environment.
JK: My Muslim identify is so important in our brand and is why I started Flora & Noor in the first place: to solve the vacancy of halal-certified skincare in the U.S. All of our products are alcohol-free, free of any animal by product, with ingredients sourced ethically. Oftentimes, as Muslims, we have to DIY at home, use prohibited skincare and feel bad about it later, or order overseas. Our brand is truly inclusive and allows everyone to be proud of the skincare they are using at Flora & Noor.
What is something you’d like people to know about Eid and how might non-Muslim people honor or recognize the holiday?
ME: One critical way non-Muslims can honor this holiday is to allow Muslims the space to celebrate. Whether it is allowing employees to take time off from work to celebrate, or not giving children a hard time for missing a day of school, I think this is the most important thing everyone can do. Another nice thing would be for non-Muslims to just wish their Muslim neighbors a happy Eid! In our faith, even a smile is considered charity, so smile as you wish a Muslim you know a happy Eid!
JK: Non-Muslims are welcomed and encouraged to visit the homes and celebrations of friends and family members. We love sharing our traditions. The Eid al-Adha celebration stems from a familiar story that is often heard in Christianity and Judaism. Like the two religions, Abraham is a major prophet in our religion. It commemorates Abraham and Ismail’s willingness to obey God’s demand of sacrifice. Muslim families around the world provide aid to the poor and there’s food. Lots of food!
