The hustle and bustle in the shopping malls and cattle markets of the federal capital is setting the atmosphere of Eid-ul-Azha, to fall on November 7 (Monday). All young and old ones seem to be busy with the sacrificial animals with focus on buying spices, recipe books and ingredients for barbecue and grilling special meat dishes.
The expected long Eid holidays this time due to weekly off days and pleasant weather will double the joys of Eid, giving people a chance to celebrate Eid in heir hometown and spend more time with near and dear ones. Youngsters, especially children gather at different corners near their homes along with sacrificial animals and share the characteristics of animals in excited manner.
Eid-ul-Azha is about the practice of sacrificing animal and people distribute meat among poor and deserving ones," this Eid invokes the spirit of sacrifice but the only disadvantage on this Eid for us is that we are not given Eidi on this Eid", Shabir, a student said. "I have planned to visit recreational spots with my family and friends on Eid and enjoy bar B Q there in the pleasant weather," he said.
Contrary to the spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr which is all about bangles, henna and colourful accessories, Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated with great reverence and simplicity following Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi. It is the major event that brings opportunity to have family gathering at roof tops, open air places and home lawns to enjoy mouth watering meat dishes.
A housewife Nadia Ali said "It is difficult to buy sacrificial animal as well as clothes and other accessories at a time in wake of prevailing price hike situation so I will manage to buy clothes only for my children". "We were unable to buy sacrificial animal due to sky rocketing prices so contributing share in combined in Qurbani," She said.
Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the last Islamic month, Zilhajj, of the lunar Islamic calendar. The celebrations begin after the Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims world-wide, who descend from Mount Arafat.
On Eid-ul-Azha, commonly known as Eid-e-Qurban, slaughtering sacrificial animals to seek Allah's blessing is the common practice and every individual takes part in 'Qurbani' at individual level or in groups as per their convenience. Many people delay buying of animals with the hope that prices will reduce as sellers will try to clinch last minute deals with customers. Some others even buy animals during Eid days to take advantage of any drop in prices.