Share smiles on Eid

Time to cheer and share happiness. It’s time to thank the Almighty for His bounties and blessings on us. The day of Eid is an opportunity to fix the broken alignments of society and embrace each other. The divine message too is to usher in smiles and forego bitterness. This year Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated in the post-Covid era, and in an environment free from social distancing is a great stride. This has buoyed the sense of participation and that is evident from the rush in markets, and the ease in travelling. It is a good omen for the economy too, which was battered at the hands of a pandemic.

The Eid day, with the culmination of Ramazan, brings with it lessons in forbearance and compassion. This true message is in need of being disseminated in a proper sense. The downtrodden must be looked after, and the needy taken care of. Charities and endowments are meant to extend the social reach of prosperity, and to especially care for those who otherwise stand neglected in our bizarre routine of selfishness. This is the concept behind Eid and the crux of the blessings of Ramazan.

This parameter of amalgamation needs to be stretched in the political horizon, too. We are a deeply divisive society and lines are firmly drawn on likes and dislikes in the political realms. Let that take a break and the society come together to look at the bigger challenges collectively confronting us. This Eid, especially, has come at a time when political instability is at its peak, and national institutions are in a crisscrossing state while navigating a way out of standoff. This is neither good for the country, nor for social harmony.

What is instantly required is a thaw in political bickering, and mending of fences in national interest. That can only come when judicious decisions are made among the aggrieved parties, and a sense of participation in national affairs is furthered. This elicits a broad-based national dialogue and what a better time than Eid it can be to bury the hatchet and look forward with a sense of pride and adhesiveness.

Difference of opinion is the beauty of a pluralistic society. It strengthens the fundamentals of democracy and a multi-perspective mosaic. Apparently, this is why the celebration of two Eids in Pakistan has now become a trend, and is accepted with open arms. Let this sense of accommodation live on, and gradually move towards more cohesion and cooperation. Sooner than later, it will put us on the same page. That is the spirit behind Eid. Happy Eid to all readers!

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2022.

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