TV2 website | Customers delighted by holiday decorations at a Danish supermarket: “It’s a big step”
TV2 published a report yesterday, Thursday, about the impressions of some Danish Muslims regarding the initiative of the widespread Danish hypermarket Bilka to sell Eid al-Fitr decorations in the party accessories and decorations section.
The same shelves where shoppers usually find decorations for Christmas, Easter and other occasions now carry decorations for Eid al-Fitr, such as balloons with "Eid Mubarak" written on them (in English letters) and other decorations in the shape of mosque domes or crescents, all of which are symbols that clearly represent Islamic culture.
The source quotes marketing manager Klaus Fredriksen as saying that this is not the first time Bilka has put holiday decorations on the shelves, but it is the first time a full page has been published in the store's advertising newspaper. He added, "We try to follow what we see as required. We believe in providing as many products as possible to as many people as possible, and this is simply a big occasion for many people.".
This was met with great joy, as there is space for decorations for Islamic holidays that are in line with traditional Danish holiday decorations in a large and widespread store like Bilka.
The TV2 article included a definition of the holiday, which stated:
“What is a holiday?
Eid is an Arabic word meaning celebration. It falls after Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, and thus marks the end of their fast.
For the holiday, the day begins with the traditional Easter prayer, after which friends and family gather for a good meal and exchange gifts. They also say "Eid Mubarak," just as Christians say "Merry Christmas" at Christmas.
This year, Ramadan began on March 23 and ends on April 21, when the Eid celebration takes place.
There are two different types of Eid celebrations: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr – also known as Eid al-Kabir (the Greater Eid) and Eid al-Saghir (the Lesser Eid), the latter of which is the one Muslims around the world will celebrate now. Eid al-Adha comes two months and ten days after Eid al-Fitr.
Sources: Religion.dk and Islam.dk”
The article mentioned the interaction of Muslims on social media with this initiative. The website's correspondent also met with a number of Muslim shoppers at the Bilka store, who expressed their happiness and their feeling that they are part of Denmark. They also praised this step as a major step that has an impact on Muslim children in Denmark feeling that they are welcome and on the importance of strengthening their belonging to Islamic culture.
