Slum (p) celebrations: From depressions of the capital

Deep pockets or not, festivity was at its peak on Christmas night.

ISLAMABAD:

A first-timer to the capital might form an impression that rows upon rows of straight roads intersecting at right angles leave nothing from the view. But actually very few could spot the depressions along the roads. And people therein certainly remain hidden. Even to those who have been commuting and walking on these roads for years.

Let’s take a look at one such depression where a whole world lives and happen to have an occasion to celebrate.

Despite inflation and security threats everybody in 66 Quarters Colony, a slum in Sector G-7/2 seemed busy in preparing for the Christmas with zeal.

Decorated Christmas trees were placed at the entrance of the colony whereas streets and houses were decorated with coloured lights.

“On every Christmas we pool money to decorate our colony,” said Israel, a resident of the shanty locality.

He said that this year it cost them Rs10,000 which was not easy to manage.

“We would appreciate if the government or the NGOs working for the minorities would financially support us on our religious festival so that we can celebrate it with more fun and excitement,” he said, adding even on Christmas no one from the government comes to participate in their festivity.

“If they cannot manage to support us financially then at least they should come and appreciate our small efforts,” he said.

“Christmas shopping is always fun but inflation makes it difficult for us to buy all what we plan for,” said Shazia Bibi.

She said that special discounts should be offered to the Christian community on Christmas. Shopkeepers when come to know that they are Christians and have come for shopping they charge us twice the normal.

“On this Christmas I did not buy new clothes for me as I had only Rs3000 which I spent on buying clothes for my children and the rest to purchase some necessary kitchenware to serve the guests,” she said.

Bushra and Madiha who were heading to a salon to get their hair and eye brows done said, “on Christmas the most exciting thing for us is to go to church at night and we hope that everything goes fine this time.”

They expressed their concern over the bomb blast at the All Saint’s Church in Peshawar in September this year adding that such acts would not dampen our spirits.

“Christmas is all about spreading happiness, joy and love and this is the message we want to spread forward. There is a need to put an end to all sorts of sectarian hatred and violence and make Pakistan a peaceful country,” Bushra said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2013.