Easter: Celebrations in twin cities centre on hope, unity and family

Children enjoy themselves, while older siblings and parents take time to reflect .

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: With the aroma of freshly cooked Biryani wafting in the air, spirits seem high as children ran around in their best Sunday outfits, complete with bangles and earrings.

“Easter Mubarak!” they said in unison at 66 quarters Sector G-7/2, before cheekily asking The Express Tribune for an Easter gift.

The evening seemed rather mellow in the Christian colony, although some people were going around visiting their neighbours with bowls of kheer (rice pudding).

“Tomorrow we will take the children out to the park, but today is all about visiting each other,” said Iqbal Gill, as he held his one-year-old son Joshua.

For the Masih family, Easter is all about good food and family. As the big joint family sit together in their humble home, chicken curry and rice is passed around while the younger children show off their henna-tattooed hands. “My friend made this, and my mother specially straightened my hair for today,” said ten-year-old Areebah.

The family said the Easter holidays are fun for children as they can go to parks and play all day. “We went to Shakarparian and Chattar Park and tomorrow we will be going to Murree,” the children exclaimed.

However not everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Nearby, a couple on motorcycle were arguing loudly with young boys who accidently hit the bike while playing cricket. “Oh its ‘Eid’, of course they’ll fight. They’ve all eaten too much,” joked Elizabeth, a local resident.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi’s Christian community started Easter with masses at churches around the city. St Paul’s Church welcomed Sunday with traditional piety in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his later resurrection.

Large numbers congregated for midnight mass at churches in Rawalpindi, where pastors delivered the message of renewed hope and promise as symbolised by the sacrifice of Christ.

Churches and Christian homes have been reverberating with prayers, recalling the final days of Christ’s life from his entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion at Calvary.

Easter also marks the end of Lent, when the devout fast and abstain from material comforts to gain spiritual strength.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Pastor Dr Samuel Titus urged the Christian faithful to emulate the virtue of Jesus Christ.

“His teachings are based on forgiveness and willingness to help others and work for peace and tolerance,” the pastor said, adding that celebrating Christ’s resurrection was a joy for all Christians.

“There are lessons we must all learn from the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross at Calvary.”

Giving a message of peace and harmony, he urged his countrymen to exercise tolerance and patience and work together for the development of Pakistan, which is passing through one of the hardest phases of its history. He said that as Pakistanis, we all should work together for peace, irrespective of religion or caste, and rid the country of prevailing crises.

“As Pakistanis, we should forge unity among our ranks and work for the prosperity of Pakistan,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.