I sit here and I wonder. I sit here and stare out of the window, deserted streets and a silent sea in front of me. Today is the day of Eid! Whose Eid? Who am I celebrating Eid with? Should I have been fasting today? This group or the other? Wierd questions, huh?! We can’t even celebrate eid on *one* day! Together!

Where did that zeal, that fervour go? Where are those smiles? Where are those cheerful children playing and running about on the streets? Where are those who used to ring our door bell demanding sweets as “Eidee” as is the trend here in the Arab world. Where did they go?

Yeah! They must be busy watching some eid shows on television, that darn “TV!!”

I came over to the UAE a couple of days back, as my family lives here. I am studying in Pakistan. We saw shopping, we saw the hype in bazars, but that Ramadan vigour was somewhat missing there too.

Something that really hurts me is that there is more celebration and festivity here on Christmas as compared to Eid!! We have more celebrations and decorations around on Valentine’s day than we have arrangements for Eid! Common guys, be honest to yourself, this *is* unfair! Not that I’m coming out against those who celebrate these days or anything, It’s just a comparison between these occasions.

What is it that Governments have reduced the Eid holidays from three to two days? Why do people not wish each other the same way it used to happen in our childhood?

The change is such that even I am yet to ask my dad for “Eidee”, something that may sound childish, but has its own feeling of excitement. Why So? Why is writing a Blog entry more important than sitting with family and spending time with them?

Everyone of us is to blame. We are loosing our values and traditions, we are transforming ourselves into people we are not! That blessed concept of sharing has been replaced by thoughts of ‘privacy’ and the demand for some ‘peace’!

I miss those old Eid celebrations, shopping, lunches, dinners, that genuine happiness I used to see in people I met! I want all that back! But where from?

Everything seems to have become so superficial, emotionless, materialistic! I could have written a similar entry on Ramadan, but I was too busy to sit and think! Wow!

What we’re lacking is time, we need to find time for these things which are very important aspects of our life.

We are Muslims because we choose to be Muslims and we are ready to observe our life in the Islamic fashion! Then why run away from Ramadan and Eid?

On a happier note, I wish you all a Very Happy and blessed Eid! May the Almighty Allah shower his blessings on all of us!

“May the Ummah rise again!” – Sami Yusuf


Eid Mubarak Everyone!