A foreigner’s love for Pakistan
My exposure to Pakistan was limited. I classified it as one of those countries that was created on religious concepts, was racist toward the rest of the world and wanted the Americans dead. Call me ignorant, but with the way Pakistan is portrayed in the media, as a foreigner it is hard not to be deterred. Then, by sheer luck and forged destiny, I met a Pakistani woman and fell truly, madly and deeply in love with her. There was beauty resonating from deep within her and it came out in her dark, soulful eyes. Little did I know, that in less than ...
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A Pakistani soldier’s Eid
This Eid-ul-Azha, like the many Eids before, I was clad in my camouflage uniform. On the second day, I had been ordered to take a convoy of rations to my troops on the barren mountains of South Waziristan. On the way there I began to feel homesick, and took a stroll down memory lane. I reminisced about my college days in Lahore, and the fun my friends and I used to have. Smiling and thinking about the alu kay parathy my mother would whip up, I felt a sudden gush of gratitude towards her for the ample love she showered on me. I ...
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The cleverest trick
How often it is that we end up taking things for granted; from having a blessed existence to having a lovely home; being loved by our loved ones and the overwhelming feeling of belonging while reconnecting with family and friends on Eid. But rarely do we pause to think of the unfortunate souls who are devoid of our blessings – those who live on the streets of this megalopolis. A few days before Eid, I was walking down Gulfway Shopping Mall in Clifton, when I saw a boy, no more than 10 years of age, begging from a woman. Brushing ...
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Eid Mubarak, from Jinnah International
There is a visitor’s terrace at Jinnah International airport in Karachi. Its entrance is almost hidden behind the tuck shop off the domestic departures gate. You pay ten rupees to a bored-looking moustachioed man and climb dark, suspicious-looking stairs to reach an equally dark, suspicious-looking security check point. But beyond that point you’re suddenly on the transparent overhead bridge, looking over domestic passengers at the check-in counters and weighing their luggage. Cross the bridge and you’ll suddenly become aware of the familiar humming of airplanes, so comforting to someone who had to travel very early on in life to visit ...
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Eid isn’t boring!
There are two occasions that I anticipate all year round; my birthday and Eid. This might sound pretty funny but when I was a little girl my sole purpose of gracing our relatives’ doorsteps was drinking Coke. I was addicted to it like a dipsomaniac is to alcohol. I remember sitting on the sofa, impatiently waiting to hear the sound of ice cubes clinking against the glassware. The only thing restraining me used to be my mother’s glare, without which I probably would have rushed to the kitchen to retrieve that glass of Coke myself. Thankfully, the phase passed as ...
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Eid: A time to celebrate
Where does the spirit of a holiday come from? Festivity and celebration is usually associated with things and with people one is surrounded by. But in a country like ours, which is marked by uncertain circumstances and constant upheavals, external stimuli does not provide sufficient reasons to celebrate. In the past the end of Ramazan was usually greeted with relief and pride as the long hours of fasting were behind us. This year however, people are questioning the reasons for celebration. It is heartwarming to see citizens sharing each other’s pain and hesitating to celebrate Eid even as hundreds have ...
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Happiness scarred
There must have been a time in this country when the days drawing close to Eid-ul-Fitr were marked with joy; when faces reflected true happiness; when an air of celebration was felt across the nation; when households prepared for the festivities with gusto; when happiness was awaited for happily. There must have been such a time. Is this wait till Eid-ul-Fitr still a happy one today? Can we feel the air of festivity? Can we wholeheartedly hope to rejoice and celebrate? If your conscience is still alive, if your eyes still see and if your heart still feels, the ...
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Celebrating Eid: for dummies
Eid Mubarak Pakistan! The end of Ramazan is upon us, and the time for celebration is nigh. May all of us have a safe and enjoyable Eid, full of contentment, love and warmth. Here for you, we have Eid related tips that may come in handy! Give them a read, and do share any tips of your own in the comments section. 1) You are not Arnold Schwarzenegger. We get it. You’ve got at least one firearm, and enough ammo to liberate a small country, but hawai (aerial) firing to celebrate anything – least of all, Eid, is just stupid. Countless ...
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Chand Raat in the city of lights
In Karachi, chand raat is one of those nights that you just do not want to miss. The city of lights turns in to the most joyous, bustling and happy cities. From Zamzama to Nazimabad, shopping centers are inundated with excited families, all preparing for Eid. In fact, Karachites are so adamant on celebrating Eid in their typical fashion, that they do not let anything get in their way. I remember a couple of days ago when about 15 people were killed here. Despite this, the city was bursting with life and shopaholic women. When it comes to shopping in the ...
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Waiting for the moon to shine
Last year, sometime after Ramazan, I was at the Jinnah International Airport, on my way to Lahore. In the boarding lounge, I saw a bearded gentleman with a soft stance, waiting to board his flight too. He looked familiar and he also looked apologetic. I suddenly realized that this was the most popular face of Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal (Moon sighting) Committee. People sitting and standing around me also recognized this religio-celeb, and nudged each other, commenting on him. “Yahee to hai jis kee wajha se Eid ka chaand raat ke gyara bej nazar aate ha.” (He is the one because of whom ...
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