Eid-ul-Fitr 2011

Jewel Time comes across the festivities of Eid-ul-Fitar 2011

Whether it was in happiness, sadness, joy or sorrow, Eid-ul-Fitr was being celebrated around the country, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Observers of Islam around the country started marking the holiday by gathering inside mosques for prayers.
Pakistan celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr after Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced on Tuesday, 30th September that the moon of Shawwal had been sighted. In the meantime, Eid was being celebrated on the same day in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and all tribal agencies and Frontier Regions.
Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the purification gained during Ramadan which is a month of fasting from sunrise-to-sunset, one of the five pillars of Islam. Eid is the first day of Shawwal and a major holiday. As the most significant Islamic events depend on lunar sighting, the timings of festivals can vary in different countries. Many Muslims offer communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat ul-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid ul-Fitr.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid, and advised to promote care, tolerance, patience and brotherhood. They said that these principles were needed to create a society according to the principles of Islam.
Soon after the declaration that the Shawwal moon had been sighted on Tuesday night, a wave of happiness surged through the people all-over Pakistan. Many people rushed into the markets and Eid bazaars for shopping and women couldn’t wait to go to the beauty parlors and shops, buying bangles and mehndi and come back home as soon, to prepare delicious food and sweets for the next day. People remained busy in shopping in the markets till late night. The bazaars had been occupied for the last many days and festivities reached their peak on the Eid day, with scores of families turning out in great numbers for shopping. Many people also flocked to Race Course Park and Bagh-e-Jinnah and other picnic points in the city.
For those who go to sleep early, the night was longer than the usual days, dreaming of the joys of the next day; to put on their new clothes and shoes, then to approach their elders and wish them a happy Eid while impatiently eager to get their gifts and “Eidi”.
Specific security measures were also adopted on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Policemen were on duty outside bazaars, shopping centers and sensitive public and private buildings. Strict security measures were also taken outside the Eidgahs.
Big Eid congregations were held across Pakistan. It was good to see the special arrangements that were made to offer Eid prayers throughout the country. On this special event, special prayers were offered for peace, development and prosperity of the country, unity of the Ummah, solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories.

The culture of cinemas has also grown immensely in the past few years. People from all walks of life go to cinemas to watch Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood movies, especially those in the hit list. It has become a great interest for the audience to visit different parts of the world virtually, that lets them experience other cultures and activities of the life of people living in different countries across the world. One of the reasons for the charm of cinema is that it entertains all types of people, young and old, literate and illiterate. It is a place where one can go to with his/her family or friends or even alone.
The cinema attracts a huge number of people on a daily basis. Keeping in mind the current situation of the country, people want to go out and watch movies to ease their minds and lift up their hopes and spirits. Cinemas have actually become so popular in Pakistan now that some of the cinemas remain open for the late hours, having their last show starting at around 12 am. Just like every year, this year Eid came with all its festivities and pleasure. Cinemas were full of audiences from all walks of life.
Eid has its very own importance and passion. Muslims celebrate to thank Allah for giving them the patience to complete the month of fasting successfully. Besides one’s own happiness and joy, one should always remember their poor Muslim fellows and share their Eid with them.