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| In Pakistan `Eid-ul-Fitr means Choti Eid (small `Eid). |
`Eid is the occasion of gratefulness, festivity, and joy. Over 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe wait for this festival throughout the year. And Pakistan is no different.
Bearing the second largest population in the Muslim world, Pakistan has its own culture and traditions in celebrating `Eid, which vary from province to province, and in some cases from town to town.
Generally, in Pakistan `Eid-ul-Fitr means Choti `Eid (small `Eid). Eid-ul-Adha is known as Bari (big) `Eid or `Eid-e-Qurban (sacrifice). `Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawaa’al, the 10thmonth of Islamic calendar.
`Eid buzz begins with the advent of the last Ashra’ (ten days) of noble Month of Ramadan that reaches at its zenith from 25th of Ramadan. Bazaars, shopping centers, markets, and even small shops in residential localities remain open till late night during the last ten days of Ramadan. In some areas, shopping centers remain open till late night from 15th of Ramadan, but the crowd actually moves in after 20thRamadan.
Chaand Raat (moon night), the last night of Ramadan itself is a separate festival. It’s considered the peak night of `Eid shopping. In most of the areas, shopping centers, markets, and shops do their businesses till 3:00 am in the morning.
Massive rush is seen during last ten nights of Ramadan, especially on moon night in the markets, and shopping centers, where organizers make special security and space arrangements to cope with the huge crowds.
In big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad and others, `Eid shopping is a post Tarawih business.
However, in small cities, and towns, women and children do not go out late night. They do their `Eid shopping early morning or in the evening.
One can be surprised to see a traffic jam in big markets, and bazaars in big cities at 1:00 am during last ten days of Ramadan as crowds of men, women, and children throng their favorite shops to buy clothes, shoes, bangles, perfumes, make-up stuff, and other items.
Special food stalls are also set up by the organizers and individuals, who too do a roaring business during these days.
“Last ten days of Ramadan means a lot for every Muslim. This is the time to get rid of hellfire. Therefore, we never go shopping before Tarawih,” Zulfikar Shaikh, a lecturer at a local college told OnIslam.net.
“No doubt, `Eid shopping is a fun. We all, especially kids, really enjoy that. But we must not forget the reverence and the reward for the last ten days of Ramadan.”He observed.
Kids Are a Big Winner
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| Boys remain restrict to new clothes, and shoes, but girls add a third item to their shopping list. This item is Bangles |
There is a famous cliché in Pakistan which goes like “`Eid to bachon ke hoti hay” that means `Eid is meant for Kids. And in case of Pakistan, This seems to be true to an extent. Large numbers of kids throng the shopping centers and bazaars along with their parents and utilize most of `Eid budget on their clothes, shoes, and bangles.
Boys remain restrict to new clothes, and shoes, but girls add a third item to their shopping list. This item is Bangles, which are considered an indispensible `Eid item. Not only girls, but women of all ages too buy colorful bangles on “moon night”.
Bangles have a romantic value as well. A husband is supposed to take his wife to the bazaar in order to buy her bangles or bring them home for her. The in-laws too send bangles and new clothes for their daughters-in-law for `Eid.
Even engaged girls receive bangles from their would-be in-laws on the occasions of both `Eids.
As for women, Henna-decoration is a must on `Eid. Usually women and girls decorate their hands, and wrists with beautiful designs of henna, however minor boys too use henna at their hands, and feet.
Generally, women apply henna at home, but at many shopping centers, and bazaars, henna decoration is complimentary on moon night that propelled many women to take advantage of this free service.
`Eidi: The Significant Tradition
`Eidi means cash that elders give to younger on `Eid day. Though, there is no religious background or binding for this tradition, it is considered a must in all over Pakistan. After `Eid prayers, men come back home, and greet to everyone. This is the actual `Eidi time, when children surround their parents, uncles, aunts, and everyone else whom they know, and demand for `Eidi.).
“This is just a gesture to show love to kids,” Zulfikar Shaikh, the lecturer said about `Eidi while recalling his childhood days with a big smile on his face.
People go to meet their relatives, family and friends usually in the evening, where they give `Eidi to children as well. In return, the hosts too give` Eidi to guests’ children.
“It’s more or less no profit-no loss affair,” Shaikh observed.
Unlike Arab world, women do not go to perform `Eid prayer at Mosques or `Eid Gah (a big Eid gathering place) in Pakistan. In few big cities, there are arrangements for women to offer `Eid prayers in mosques, however most of women prefer to perform `Eid prayer at home.
In small cities, and towns, only a few `Eid congregations are held. Men along with their children travel from nearby villages and localities to gather at one `Eid Gah, and offer prayer. Usually, there is one `Eid Gah in small town, and two or three in big towns. People there prefer to go to `Eid Gah rather than Mosques to offer `Eid prayers.
However, in big cities, long distances, and space shortage have compelled people to go to nearby Mosques for `Eid prayer.
There are different ways to greet in different parts of Pakistan. In Southern parts, people usually hug and shake hands once to greet, whereas in northeastern and western parts, people hug thrice to greet each other by saying “`Eid Mubarik” after offering `Eid prayer.
People pay Fitra (It is about 5 pounds of wheat, flour, barley, dates or raisins) before `Eid prayer.
After `Eid prayer, it is common for men to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members.
`Eid Delights
Like any other festival, special food items are prepared on `Eid.
`Eid-ul-Fitr is also called Meethi (sweet) `Eid in Pakistan because most of items prepared for this` Eid are sweet. Sheer Khorma, Kheer (rice pudding), and sivayyan (fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk and dried fruit) are the most famous dishes.
People usually take some dates or a plate of sweet dish before leaving for `Eid prayer.
`Eid parties, which last for three days are a good opportunity for family members and friends to sit together for some time.
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