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.
