Happy Childhood Memories...

I am not a Muslim but my childhood was filled with references to this religion.

Both my grandmothers were Muslims so I got to soak up a lot of the religion despite being a Christian myself.

This Saturday, millions of Muslims will be celebrating the Eid al-Adha. Even though the actual day for this celebration was on Wednesday, due to work limitations, most of the celebrations will be done this Saturday.

I will be celebrating with my friend Taofeek Giwa MSc, FIA who has folks coming from all over the UK to celebrate, it sure will be a party!

It brings back very fond memories of growing up. I had one grandmother in Lagos state and the other was in our hometown, Ogun state so we usually go to Ogun state to celebrate what we call Ileya in Yoruba which translates to "it's time to go home" and it truly lives up to its name as it usually is an amazing time!

Because of my dad's very busy schedule, no day is wasted so Ileya is usually a military routine. We wake up very early on the day, the whole family will get in the car and we are off to visit my grandma in Ogun state to celebrate Ileya with her, this is despite the fact that my dad was a devout Christian. This taught me to celebrate with others even if I don't share same belief and this is something I still practice today.

Once we hit the road, along the road we will stop to buy a ram since this festival is about sacrifice, a ram has to be slaughtered as part of the celebration. Once we pick up the ram, we move and we are on the way to Ogun state.

We usually get there early in the morning and I remember the fanfare around our arrival used to be amazing. My grandma would be waiting outside, her friends with her and few folks just hanging around. Once she sees us, she jumps up in joy, begins to greet us, hug us, pray for us, praise us (Oriki) and then there is an amazing meal awaiting us. What I love about that meal is that this is the only place we get to have it, no one else makes it so it makes it even more cherished.

Immediately, the ram is already being prepared for the celebration. The house gets busy very quickly with people milling in and out, some helping, some just hanging about.

My fond memories were simply just disappearing with my brother. We will go away, find a bicycle and just go riding around the town. These were days when there was so much innocence and little worry about harm coming our way. Besides, our parents would have been so engrossed in the food preparation I am sure they even forget about us.

By the time we get back, the festivities would have started. All I experienced back in those days was so much joy, unfiltered. Everyone usually seemed to be happy to be in that house, so much to eat, so much to drink and I hold this childhood memory dear to me.

I am looking forward to celebrating with Taofeek Giwa MSc, FIA tomorrow. In the world today, we need more tolerance, more understanding and appreciation of different cultures and beliefs, more love, more joy, more togetherness.

Happy Eid al-Adha to everyone celebrating