ISLAMABAD (XINHUA) – Dressing herself in a radiant red frock with matching shoes and bangles, 14-year-old Ayzel Munir was filled with joy on the first day of Aidilfitri, eagerly waiting for her cousins and friends to join in for a delicious feast being arranged at her home in Pakistan’s federal capital Islamabad.
“I’m so happy today as I am going to see my cousins and friends. I cannot wait to welcome them to my home. We have decorated our house and prepared a variety of traditional delicacies to celebrate the festival,” she told Xinhua while placing small vases of faux flowers on a huge dining table for adornment.
“My family has started putting things together a few days ahead of the Aidilfitri to greet the guests in the best possible way,” Munir said, adding that besides the most-loved sweet dishes, her mother had prepared chicken rice, beef curry, fried fish, and roasted meat.
Aidilfitri, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadhan, is a festival celebrated by Muslims all over the world. To mark the jubilant occasion, the Pakistani government has announced four-day Aidilfitri holidays starting from April 10.
In Pakistan, the festivities often begin with special prayers in congregations, followed by warm embraces and the exchange of Aidilfitri greetings among people. The celebrants mostly spend time with their loved ones, feasting on lavish meals, going out for recreational activities as well as partaking in charitable acts to support underprivileged individuals on the occasion.
As part of the celebrations, many people decorate their homes and streets with colourful flickering lights and exchange sweets and greetings with neighbours and friends.
Also, many social events, fun fairs, concerts and family galas are organised to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Similarly, markets and shopping malls are flooded with enthusiastic shoppers, especially women and children, who would buy clothes, shoes, jewellery and other accessories.
Talking to Xinhua, Jameela Abbasi, a housewife and mother of three children, said that she had been frequenting markets in recent days and still had some shopping left to do.
“I have almost completed shopping for my kids. I bought them new dresses and shoes.
Most of the work is done, but still, I need to buy myself a pair of shoes and bangles,” she said, adding that the Aidilfitri is the only festival where she doesn’t hesitate to spend money, as acquiring various items adds to the joy and happiness of the celebration.
Apart from extravagant spending on her family, Abbasi said that she prepared special Aidilfitri packages to be distributed among poor families.
“On this special occasion, we must not forget underprivileged people who are not able to enjoy the festival owing to financial constraints…I have made dozens of Aidilfitri boxes comprising clothes, food and medicines. It is our social and moral responsibility and the real spirit of the Aidilfitri,” she added.
In the days leading up to the festival, bus terminals and railway stations across the country experienced a significant influx of travelers, with many individuals journeying to their hometowns and villages to celebrate the Aidilfitri holidays with their families.
To accommodate the large Aidilfitri exodus, Pakistan Railways organised special trains and offered a 25 per cent discount on fares for three days of Aidilfitr to the citizens.
On the eve of the Aidilfitri, 38-year-old Muhammad Amir was making his way to a bus terminal in the eastern Rawalpindi district with his family, carrying heavy luggage. Pausing for a moment, Amir shared with Xinhua that he was embarking on a journey to his hometown after nearly a year.
“I cannot express how happy I am as I am going to see my parents…My mother has been waiting for this moment for months and I cannot wait to get home soon and hug her. I have bought special gifts for my parents and siblings. This Aidilfitri holiday is going to be very special and fun-filled,” he said. – Raheela Nazir
