Celebrate EID - Peace and Festivity.

What comes to your mind when i say the word "muslim"? Terrorism, patriarchy and negative vibes mostly. But today let me take you on a journey to look through the most celebrated religious holiday of muslims in Pakistan.

"EID-UL-FITR"

The word EID means "festivity" and FITR means "To break a fast or breakfast". It is important to know that this festival is followed by the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and refrain from eating throughout the day. This practice brings a realization of the difficulties that the poor and the destitute face in the daily life.

The event is marked by the sighting of the moon. As soon as the moon is sighted, festivities begin and people head towards markets to buy new clothes, jewelry, and sweets. The markets are flooded by people throughout the night.
Below is a small glimpse of a local market.

Once the shopping is done, the next is the "EID NAMAZ". Namaz is a way of prayer of Muslims. Eid Namaz is prayed in the mosques and then every one stands up to hug people around and greet them "Eid Mubarak". Below is a gathering for namaz in the BADSHAHI MASJID of LAHORE.

The mandatory Eid hugs.

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Next, everyone heads home to meet their families, people pay each other visits and devour delicious food that embellishes every table on the day of Eid. People visit their extended families and they tend to celebrate this auspicious day together. Especially, the dessert called "sheer khorma" is prepared in every house which enthralls your taste buds .

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Another important factor of this ocassion is the charity. The adults are entitled to give money to the young and the poor in the form of "EIDI". The children spend all day joyful and happy. I received Rs5000 as EIDI gift.

Above was a very small sneak peak into EID. Hope you guys enjoyed it.