Eid overshadowed by virus, jet tragedy

Children found it difficult to remain indoors

LAHORE: This year, Eid, was different in so many ways. The recent aircraft crash and coronavirus threat marred the celebrations across the country.

Most of the families preferred low key celebrations to show solidarity with those grieving deaths of loved ones.

A large number of families chose to remain within the safety of their houses disappointing children who hoped for largesse on Eid.

Children were adamant about celebrating the festival with an enthusiastic fervour notwithstanding the fact that they were confined to their homes and their chances of going outside for picnic at amusement parks, zoos and other places were zilch.

Eid shopping loses momentum

“The government should have opened the parks for Eid so that we could enjoy Eid. What is the point of having six holidays if we are stuck inside?” Minal, a young girl not aged enough to understand coronavirus risk, complained.

“It is very boring at home since summer vacations were given to us and now Eid is ruined too.”

Minal’s father, Wasif, said it was pretty hard for him to convince the six-year-old to stay at home.

Young Arisha, Mishal and Hasham were comparatively patient in approach.

“No doubt the parks and other picnic spots are closed but it does not mean that Eid cannot be celebrated at homes,” Hasham said, enthusiastically adding, “We dressed up in new clothes and shoes, and collected ‘Eidi’ from our parents and played games at home.”

Meanwhile, Arisha ecstatically flaunted her henna adorned hands and new clothes her parents bought sometime ago.

On the other hand parents said they enjoyed the holiday by binge watching TV shows, dramas or movies.

Socially distanced Eid in times of pandemic

“Eid is more for children than for adults. I spent most of my time cooking their favourite dishes so that they do not miss the spirit of Eid entirely,” a mother of five told The Express Tribune.

A family which religiously held ‘Tikka party’ every Eid, decided to do away with the tradition to protect friends and family.

“We always arranged lavish Tikka parties, however, this time we can neither hold this dinner nor visit our relatives to enjoy festivities,” Muhammad Zaman stated sadly.

A few families chose to spend some time out near green belts to click ‘selfies’ as all amusement and dining areas were cordoned off for public.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) had dismissed a petition filed for seeking reopening of amusement parks.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2020.