KARACHI:
In recent years, a noticeable surge in Halloween festivities, celebrated openly across Pakistan, has been witnessed. Societies organise Halloween-themed luncheons and parties, universities host costume competitions, while elementary schools celebrate an entire week dedicated to Halloween. Influencers promote the occasion with different costume ideas and spooky makeup tutorials, while stores offer discounts and themed products. This is slowly normalising of Halloween, with our youth openly celebrating it with vigour.
While dress-up and themed parties can be a source of entertainment and excitement, there is a difference between organising a costume day and actively promoting Halloween as a celebration. This distinction becomes particularly important for our junior schools. A growing number of elementary schools, especially those that are considered modern or elite, dedicate entire weeks to Halloween, where the kids are supposed to show up in their favourite costumes. This is ingraining the idea of Halloween in the young minds, who begin to think that this festivity is a part of their culture.
As a Muslim-majority country, we must remain conscious of our religious and cultural identity. Modern education should encourage creativity, exposure and open-mindedness, but it should not require us to adopt every foreign tradition to appear progressive. Schools must be mindful of the cultural and religious values they are shaping in young minds. The youth and influential figures have a moral responsibility to stand by our religious norms and promote traditions that are a part of our religion and culture.
Celebrating Halloween is not a sign of modernity; it is a sign of us slowly abandoning our roots and mixing our culture with foreign elements. We can embrace modernity without losing our identity.
Zaynab Awan
Sargodha
