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Muslims'
Affairs in `Eid
Sweet
`Eid in Pakistan
Asif
Farooqi, IOL Pakistan Correspondent
ISLAMABAD:
`Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan is known as chhoti (small) or meethi (sweet)
`Eid as unlike three days celebrations for Eid ul Azha it celebrated for
one day and that the day on this `Eid begins with a special-made
breakfast consisting Vermicelli
`Eid
preparations start with the beginning of the month of Ramadan and
continue throughout the month. It is customary for almost everyone to
wear new dress. So the shopping goes on throughout the month of Ramadan.
The
marketplaces are decorated to welcome `Eid shoppers. Special sale prices
are offered on garments and shoes. Young girls and older women wear
bangles made of fine glass. The night when the moon is sighted is fixed
for this activity. Womenfolk in huge numbers throng the special bangle
stalls and shops as soon as the Shawwal moon is sighted. Men and elders
usually exchange moon greetings. Telephone these days are frequently
used for this late evening exchange of greetings.
The
next day is `Eid, a public holiday, and a great occasion for rejoicing.
Rising early, the rich as well as the poor wash, dress up in new
clothes, and start the day with a light breakfast which usually consists
of fine wheat noodles mixed with milk and commonly known as Vermicelli.
Then
the men congregate at the mosques or eidgahs (large enclosures for
prayers). On the way they pass out the obligatory alms called fitra.
When `Eid prayers and Thanksgivings are over, they hug and congratulate
each other and later during the day, they visit relatives, friends, and
neighbors.
The poor also join in the celebration because it is during Ramadan that
Muslims give Zakah, which is a 2 and 1/2 percent payment on one year's
savings or gold, silver currency, or goods for trade equal in price to
87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. Tens of millions are
distributed in cash or kind among poor who also share in the
festivities.
After offering `Eid prayers, which is an occasion for expressing thanks
to Allah, the men return home and wishing children, women and elders of
the household `Eid Mubarak eat the sweet dish known as Vermicelli or
sheer-khurma (dates cooked in milk and served with wheat noodles). Also
as an additional treat, a variety of dishes are cooked. Festivities
continue till late night, and in some towns a popular fair or mela is
held for recreational purpose.
For the children it is a very happy day because they receive money from
all the elders, to spend and enjoy themselves. They also can receive
clothes or gifts. It is like Christmas. Employees get bonuses, factories
and offices close down for a couple of days, and food and money are
distributed to the poor. Because it marks the end of Ramadan, `Eid
al-Fitr is always an occasion for a big meal, and families come together
like Thanksgiving.
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