Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

The Muslims around the world are going to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, a three days festival on Friday, April 21 or

Saturday, April 22, 2023 vary upon sighting the moon on the last day of Ramadan.

Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as Eid-al-Fitr or 'Meethi Eid' is the most widely celebrated Islamic festival by Muslims

around the world in Shawwal month according to the Islamic calendar.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of joy and generosity to express gratitude to Allah for the blessings of Ramadan. It is a

time to celebrate with friends and family by exchanging gifts and greetings, wearing new clothes, distributing Zakat, and eating traditional foods at the completion of Ramadan's spiritual journey of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection.

In 2023, the holy month of Ramadan began on Thursday, March 23. Thus, it will end on Friday, April 21.

◈ Religious origin of Eid-al-Fitr:

 

As per Muslims belief, the first Eid-al-Fitr was celebrated by the Prophet Muhammad with his relatives and

friends in 624 CE after their victory in the battle of Jang-e-Badar. This occasion in early Islamic history was a

key turning point in Prophet Muhammad's struggle with his opponents among the Quraish in Mecca.

The customs of celebrating Eid-al-Fitr in Pakistan are not much different form the others. Pakistanis, every year celebrates Eid full joy, happiness, honor and generosity.

 

◈ How Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated in Pakistan?

 

Eid preparations usually start with the beginning of Ramadan and continue throughout the month.

 

1- Eid Prayer:

Eid Celebrations in Pakistan usually begin with a compulsory dawn prayer in mosques, ’Eidgah’ and open-air

spaces in all cities, towns and villages. The families usually wake up very early in the morning, shower, dress up in their best clothes, put on a nice perfume, and the men usually go to the mosques or “Eidgah” to offer

congregational prayers. There is no call to prayer (Adhan) at this day but it only comprises of two units (rakats) with an additional six takbirs an Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” translates “God is Great”. 

 

2- Traditional Greeting:

 

After offering the Eid prayer, the Eid greetings are the important part of the occasion by wishing each other

“Eid Mubarik” means “have a blessed feast” by shaking hands or giving hug to each other. The proper response to Eid Mubarak is "Khair Mubarak", wishes goodness on the person who has greeted.

 

 

3-Traditional “Eidi”:

 

“Eidi" is the name given to the gifts or goodwill money given to younger members of the family by their

parents, elders of the family, relatives and their close friends on the Eid day in Pakistan. The children and

younger members of the family always wait curiously to receive “Eidi” from their elders. It is like how South Korean kids get “Saybae ton” (세뱃돈) on the occasion of Solnal, the Chinese kids get "ang-pows" (money in red auspicious packets) on the occasion of Chinese New Year.

 

4- Traditional foods.

The best things about Eid in Pakistan are the flavorsome and delicious variety of food such as sheer korma,

firni, kheer, samosas, and of course biryani. The three-day festival is incomplete without these delicacies that

gives Pakistanis all the more reasons to spend Eid in an extra ordinary manner. 

A special sweet or dessert associated with Eid in Pakistan is Sheer Korma, which is vermicelli cooked in milk

and sugar, sprinkled with almonds, pistachios, and dates. This dessert is served as a breakfast in the morning

of Eid after the Eid prayer, and throughout the day to the visiting guests.

 

5- Clothes, Bengals, Henna:

The first thing on everybody’s list is to buy new clothes, jewelry, accessories and book a slot with the tailor that increases the charm of Eid in Pakistan.

 

 

Wearing Bengals and Henna are most popular with female shopping, who throng to these stalls like bees to a hive all across the country to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr. You can see women especially young girls eagerly buying

bangles and making designs of Henna (Mehndi)on hands in a traditional way during ‘Eid season.

Women of every age love to apply beautiful designs of Mehndi on their hands and feet especially on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

 

 

6- Eid Milan Parties:

Eid Milan parties are also the part of Eid in Pakistan that are well organized with Food, music, touches of

humor, and games, the true soul of these parties. People wear their best outfits and talk about their holidays with close families and friends. These parties are usually arranged by schools, offices, or relatives who couldn’t celebrate the three-day festival together due to some other commitments.

 

7- Special TV Shows:

One of the best things about Eid in Pakistan is the fun of watching special TV shows on Pakistani channels

that makes the Eid more entertaining in such a brilliant manner where Pakistani classic artists playfully talk

about social issues.

 

Eid-Ul-Azha is the second largest Eid festival among Pakistanis as well as all Muslims around the world Eid-Ul-Azha also known as “the feast of Sacrifice” is celebrated to honor the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to Sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as an act of obedience to God's command.