Eid-Ul-Fitr is the most significant Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. This festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk. In Pakistan, Eid-Ul-Fitr is a grand and joyous occasion celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour. The festival brings together families and friends, who come together to pray, exchange gifts, and feast on delicious food.
Preparations for Eid-Ul-Fitr in Pakistan start weeks before the actual festival. The streets are decorated with colourful lights and streamers, and shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people buying new clothes, jewellery, and other items. Mehndi (henna) artists can be seen busy in the marketplaces, offering their services to women and girls, who adorn their hands and feet with beautiful henna designs.
The night before Eid, known as Chaand Raat (Night of the Moon), is an important part of the Eid celebrations in Pakistan. On this night, people visit bazaars and markets, which are decorated with colourful lights and decorated stalls. Families and friends gather together, shop for last-minute items, and indulge in sweet delicacies, like traditional sweets and chaat. The atmosphere is electric with music, laughter, and chatter, as people prepare for the upcoming festivities.
On the day of Eid-Ul-Fitr, people wake up early in the morning, take a shower, and wear new clothes. They then offer their Eid prayers at the local mosque or an open-air ground. The Eid prayer is usually followed by a sermon, where the imam (religious leader) reminds people about the significance of Eid and the importance of following the teachings of Islam.
After the Eid prayers, people visit their family and friends to exchange greetings and gifts. The traditional greeting on Eid is “Eid Mubarak,” which means “blessed Eid.” It is customary to exchange gifts and money with children and to visit relatives, especially the elderly. The rest of the day is spent feasting on delicious food and sweets, and spending time with loved ones.
One of the most popular dishes served on Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan is sheer khurma, a sweet milk pudding made with vermicelli, dates, and nuts. Other traditional dishes include biryani, kebabs, and chaat. It is also common to distribute food to the poor and needy on this day, as an act of charity and goodwill.
