For me, the month of May has been a truly wonderful and meaningful month of enjoying unity within our community. It has been a time of gathering, celebration, reflection and gratitude.

We witnessed the spirit of togetherness through the One Love Bermuda Ummah event, followed by the cultural pride and unity of Bermuda Day, and concluded with one of the most sacred celebrations for Muslims — Eid al-Adha.

As Muslims, this blessed period falls within the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the holiest months in Islam, particularly because it is the season of Hajj — the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah and Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice.

Allah says in the Koran: “And proclaim to the people the Hajj pilgrimage; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” (22:27)

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.

Each year, millions of Muslims from every race, culture, language and background gather in Makkah in an extraordinary display of equality and unity before God. Rich and poor stand side by side dressed in simple garments, reminding humanity that before Allah, status and worldly titles hold no value except righteousness.

The pilgrimage commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajar, and their son Isma’il (Ishmael), peace be upon them all. It teaches profound lessons in obedience, humility, patience and trust in Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit obscenity or wrongdoing will return as free from sin as the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Closely connected to Hajj is Eid al-Adha, a celebration rooted in sacrifice, faith and generosity. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son in obedience to Allah’s command. Yet, Allah in His mercy replaced the sacrifice with a ram, demonstrating that sincere submission is beloved to Him.

Allah reminds us in the Koran: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” (22:37)

Eid al-Adha is therefore not merely about the sacrifice of an animal; it is about sacrificing selfishness, pride, division and disunity. It is a time of prayer, charity, sharing meals and caring for neighbours, family and those less fortunate.

We began our celebration of Eid with the special Eid prayer, gathering at the beautiful Victoria Park where we stood shoulder to shoulder in congregation. It was truly a breathtaking sight and experience — one filled with peace, gratitude and togetherness. The unity, love and warmth shared among us were simply indescribable.

We then continued our worship with a profound, thought-provoking and uplifting khutbah delivered by Imam Shakir. His words inspired reflection and encouraged us to move forward with a renewed commitment to striving for greater unity within our beloved community.

Thereafter, our joyous Eid Gala celebrations commenced at Masjid Muhammad, beginning with a delicious breakfast that set the tone for a day filled with fellowship and festivity.

The celebrations continued with activities for all ages. Children and their parents delighted in an array of engaging activities, while adults also enjoyed opportunities for connection and participation throughout the day.

As always, food played a central role in our gathering, and we feasted on some of Bermuda’s finest national dishes. A special favourite was Sister Nadiyah’s delicious spinach and tuna dish, complete with her much-talked-about “secret” ingredient!

Another highlight was Sister Zakiyyah’s exquisite and truly regal tea party. This year, as with so many before, she upheld the exceptional standard and endless delicacies she has lovingly offered our community for over five decades.

The evening celebrations continued at the Bermuda Islamic Cultural Centre in Smith’s Parish, where we enjoyed the cooling sea breezes alongside more spiritual nourishment and delicious “soul” food.

We were further blessed with another beautiful and inspiring khutbah delivered by Imam Salim Talbot, whose words added yet another layer of reflection and meaning to the day.

Eid al-Adha 2026 concluded with the Isha Salat (prayer) — truly a beautiful and spiritually fulfilling way to bring such a blessed and memorable day to a close.

Much thanks and appreciation go out to the organisers and volunteers who consistently ensure that our Eid celebrations are nothing short of stellar. It is truly a beautiful sight to witness everyone — from our respected elders to our energetic youth — working tirelessly throughout the day to ensure the success of the occasion.

From the early set-up to the final breakdown, many hands came together in service. Even Imam Basim could be seen serving food when volunteers were few — a beautiful example of humility, leadership and service in action.

This spirit of collective effort reminds us of the words of Allah in the Koran: “And co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety …” (5:2)

Likewise, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy, are just like one body. When one limb suffers, the whole body responds with wakefulness and fever.” (Sahih Muslim)

Indeed, when we work together with sincerity, humility and care for one another, success becomes not only possible but beautiful. Truly, together we can achieve great things for our community.

What a beautiful day of spiritual nourishment and fulfilling “soul” food — feeding both body and spirit. May Allah continue to bless us with abundant barakah that spreads within ourselves, our families and throughout our beautiful island home of Bermuda.

I maintain that there are no Eid celebrations quite like those of our Bermuda community. The experience is uniquely special and bespoke — a reflection of the beauty, warmth and spirit of our island itself.

Reflecting on this month, I have been reminded that unity is not merely spoken about — it must be actively nurtured. Whether through community events, national celebrations or sacred religious observances, there is beauty when people come together in mutual respect, compassion and understanding.

For true prosperity in this life and the next, it is only through good deeds, caring for one another, uplifting one another and strengthening the bonds of community that our island home can truly flourish in humanity and love, just as beautifully as it flourishes in its breathtaking natural beauty. Imagine that — how powerful, prosperous and even more beautiful Bermuda would be if we collectively embraced kindness, justice and unity as part of our daily lives.

Allah reminds us in the Koran: “Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression.” (5:2)

And He also says: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (3:103)

May we continue to build bridges in our communities, cherish our shared humanity and carry forward the spirit of unity long after May has passed — striving not only for success in this world, but also for eternal success in the Hereafter.

May blessings of compassion, justice and unity flow abundantly upon Bermuda and its people.

Eid Mubarak and have a unified week.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• See more pictures of the Eid al-Adha event at Victoria Park in The Royal Gazette’s gallery here

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam