Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
COVID-19
Kirsti Marohn
St. Cloud, Minn.

Vaccines bring back joy to Eid celebrations

Children gather in front of a table and receive candy.
St. Cloud, Minn., police officer Taylor McIntyre hands out candy and beverages to children in front of the St. Cloud Community OutPost. Thursday is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer.
Kirsti Marohn | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 2:31 p.m.

As Muslims in Minnesota and around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, COVID-19 vaccinations helped make it a much more celebratory holiday this year.

Last year, Ramadan came during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. People weren't able to pray together in mosques or break their fast with friends and family.

This year, the easing of some restrictions means families can pray and gather with friends and relatives, although large gatherings are still on hold. Some local mosques organized vaccination events before the start of Ramadan to make sure people could receive shots.

At the St. Cloud Community OutPost, members of the St. Cloud police department and the Professional Somali Women's Group of Central Minnesota handed out candy and beverages to families returning home from morning prayers. Kids played games and danced in the grass as music played.

“It’s different,” said Mohamed Hajir of St. Cloud, who stopped by with his family. "Because there was COVID-19, people could not come together. Since we get the vaccine — most of us — so we can celebrate.”

Hani Jacobson, a nurse and community health specialist with CentraCare Health, helped organize the event. She works out of the outpost a couple of days a week.

“It's just so fun to just see all the smiling faces that we didn't get to have last year,” she said. 

A polcie officer hands out candy to children.
St. Cloud Police Officer Taylor McIntyre (center) hands out candy and beverages to children in front of the St. Cloud Community OutPost along with Hani Jacobson (right), a CentraCare nurse on Thursday in St. Cloud, Minn.
Kirsti Marohn | MPR News

Jacobson said the group has been doing the Eid candy distribution for about five years, but this year they asked the community for donations, and the response was overwhelming.

Another member of the women’s group, Fadumo Hassan, said they started the event to try to make Eid a little more fun for the younger generation.

“A lot of these kids don't know when you live in a Muslim-majority country, the holiday season is very different,” Hassan said. “It’s a way of bringing a little bit of joy to Eid and something for them to look forward to.”