Residents visit graveyards on Eid

ISLAMABAD:

A high number of people visited graveyards in the capital to remember their loved ones on Eidul Fitr.     

The elderly, women and children visited cemeteries on Chand Raat and in the morning on Eid to remember their parents and other relatives on the festive occasion. The visitors cleaned graves and showered petals, as well as offering Fateha and lit incenses. Some laid wreaths while others sat in silence and remembered the old days.

Flower stalls were set up near all major graveyards in the twin cities for visitors to buy flowers, incenses, rose water and petals.

Ahsan Riaz, a 21-year-old boy who came to offer Fateha on the grave of his father, said, “For me it’s a very somber occasion, as it’s our first Eid without my father.”

“My brother passed away in a road accident five years ago, but I feel his absence on every Eid. I visit his grave once in a while,” said another visitor. Asif Kamal, a flower
seller outside H-10 graveyard, said, “We set up stalls a day before Eid for people’s convenience as many visit graveyards after the morning prayers.”

Besides Eid, people also visit graveyards on Eid Miladun Nabi, Shab-e-Baraat and other religious occasions to pray for the departed souls of their relatives and friends.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2014.