Celebrating new beginnings this Eid
Faareha Asad
Business Management ’17
Founder & Creative Director, Muna Swimwear
Faareha Asad is a marketing professional and entrepreneur redefining modest swimwear through her brand, Muna Swimwear (external link, opens in new window) . After years in corporate marketing, she set out to solve a personal gap in the market: sustainable, full-coverage swimwear that doesn’t compromise on style, comfort, or function. Launched through the Fashion Zone incubator, Muna Swimwear blends inclusivity with fashion-forward design and recently showcased at New York Swim Week, marking a major milestone in Muna’s international growth.
Centring gratitude, humility and generosity, Muslim communities will soon mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and prepare for Eid-al-Fitr, which takes place March 19.
We’re pleased to share what Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumna Faareha Asad, Business Management ’17, is looking forward to this Eid. As Faareha notes, after a month of fasting in observance of Ramadan, Eid opens up a newfound appreciation for the things often taken for granted on an everyday basis, such as food and water: “The empathy, humility and understanding we have after facing hunger and thirst for a month makes us more sensitive and empathetic to those who are less fortunate than us.”
To all our TMU alumni and friends who are celebrating Eid, we wish you joy and blessings. Eid Mubarak!
What are your plans for Eid this year?
This year feels especially meaningful, as it’s my husband’s and my first Eid away from Toronto and thus without our big but close-knit extended family. We are currently travelling to focus on expanding our business, and while we’ll deeply miss our large, chaotic (in a good way!) family gatherings and Eid traditions, we’re embracing this Eid-al-Fitr with a new perspective and gratitude. As some would say, distance makes the heart grow fonder!
We plan to celebrate with amazing friends we’ve made while travelling and to incorporate a few fun activities we wouldn’t normally do on Eid day, leaning into the adventure of it all. We’re planning to spend some time appreciating our surroundings and enjoying our time by the beach with a festive picnic. Of course, no celebration would be complete without gathering around incredible food and feasting to mark the end of Ramadan. It’s a different kind of Eid this year, but one that reflects growth, courage and the excitement of building something new together.
Over Ramadan and Eid, Faareha and her husband will be in the UAE and hope to enjoy time at one of its beaches. Photo credit: iStock.
Is there something about Eid that you wish others knew?
Eid is not just a celebration marking the end of Ramadan, a holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting (yes, that means no water!); it is a celebration of discipline, practicing faith and togetherness. The intention is to come out of the month stronger, more humble and more grounded.
I wish more people knew just how exciting Eid truly is. For those who celebrate, it’s a day we look forward to all year. There’s anticipation, preparation and so much happiness tied to it, despite everyone often thinking we might dread the fasting of Ramadan due to how difficult it can be — yet it is our absolute favourite time of year for the majority of us. The empathy, humility and understanding we have after facing hunger and thirst for a month makes us more sensitive and empathetic to those who are less fortunate than us.
Are there any special preparations in store the night before?
There’s a beautiful sense of anticipation in the final hours before Eid morning. The night before is always special because Eid is announced only when the new moon is seen. We apply decorative henna to our hands and pack gifts for our families. We pick out our outfits and prepare desserts or dishes to share. Families get dressed in their best and go to the mosque together early in the morning, and afterward we visit friends and relatives for a festive feast.
Left: Faareha’s family plans to apply decorative henna to their hands in observance of Eid. Right: Treats will be prepared to give when visiting friends and relatives. Photos: Pexels.
As the founder of a fashion brand, Muna Swimwear, in terms of Eid fashion, have you noticed any trends in colours or styles this year?
Since this Eid falls in the spring, I’ve noticed a lot of floral patterns and soft pastel tones trending this year; colours that reflect renewal and joy. I haven’t picked my outfit yet, but I’m looking forward to wearing something colourful and very spring-appropriate.
Eid fashion is always special because it symbolizes celebration and new beginnings, and I love seeing how everyone expresses that through wearing their diverse cultural outfits and their fashion sense.
Faareha is the founder of Muna Swimwear, a full-coverage swimwear brand. She anticipates Eid fashions this year to reflect spring florals and pastels. Photo credit: Muna Swimwear.
* This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.