This Eid ul Fitr 2017, Youth Club Blog decided to catch up with the Presidents of Youth Club’s various chapters to know what is the significance of Eid in their lives…
1. Best Eid Moment?
Raja Zia ul Haq, CEO YC: Driving back from the masjid with my whole family, talking about how amazing the khutbah was and looking forward to a great breakfast that’s waiting at home, Alhamdulillah. We recall how every day of Ramadan we stopped ourselves from eating because of the command of Allah; and today we eat because of the command of Allah.
Fiza Khan, President (female wing) YCI: Meeting everyone right after Eid Salah. It’s like a sudden shift into another mode and world, all smiles and happiness…
Mohammad Ali, President YCL: Coming back from the mosque and meeting the family, hugging them, eating with them. It gives so much energy.
Asma Inayat, President (female wing) YCL: For me, it’s the Eid prayer. The whole family makes an effort to get ready early morning and go to Eidgaah (prayer place). I look forward to that time two to three days before Eid.
Ishaq bin Sadiq, President YCK: Praying Eid Salah, which gives the sense of brotherhood and unity… Standing feet to feet… Shoulder to shoulder…
2. Favourite Eid Dish?
Raja Zia ul Haq: For me, it has always been the classic “Channa Chat” with imli sauce!
Fiza Khan: Channa chaat! That I eat every time I serve the guests. By the time it’s lunch hour, there’s no space for anything else!
Mohammad Ali: Sheer khurma
Ishaq bin Sadiq: Kabab Paratha, probably…
3. Any Funny Incident Related to Eid?
Raja Zia ul Haq: I remember a crazy story from Eid ul Adha once, where our bakras somehow got loose and my cook and other helpers were running after them all over the place. The scene reached its climax when one of my siblings, who was fleeing for their life (being terrified of goats obviously) came inside the house, only to have one of the bakras follow them in. Seeing so many people, the bakra panicked, jumped up on the coffee table and made quite a big mess of things. The reaction of my family members was priceless!
Fiza Khan: All those times I slept with my mehndi-fied hand under my face and had a pretty print on my face the next day..
Mohammad Ali: My cousin and I used to set out on a mission to gather Eidi from all the relatives. We used to go to every single relative, close or distant, greet them and sit and wait for Eidi. It used to be a funny and awkward situation..
4. How Do You Make Your Eid Special?
Raja Zia ul Haq: We get lots of gifts for everyone. Since we don’t celebrate any other days throughout the year, we make a massive campaign-style effort for Eid. This includes setting up camp in the living room at night where we all laugh, play, share stories and even sleep; my kids love this experience… We even decorate the living room with streamers, banners and buntings just to add a bit more flavour!
Fiza Khan: Being a girl, that question is already answered, no? 🙂
Mohammad Ali: By meeting people who have felt neglected.
Asma Inayat: Being Lahori, I think it’s the food that makes the Eid special 😀
Preparations start a day or two before Eid. My family is a desi food lover so nihari, halwa puri, biryani, chicken dishes are the things on my mind when I jot down my things to do list for Eid..
Ishaq bin Sadiq: By meeting my brothers in Islam and having breakfast with them.
5. How can Eid be made enjoyable for poor people?
Raja Zia ul Haq: We should make it a point to visit those less fortunate than us during the Eid holidays. Whether it is an orphanage or an old people’s home or a village environment etc. We encourage our kids to handover presents to the orphans with their own hands so that they can feel for these children, who are spending their Eid without their families.
Fiza Khan: There’s so much of happiness to share. Starting off by giving monetary gifts to including them in your smiles and moments; honouring them by serving them what you serve other guests. Especially before Eid, getting them bangles, mehndi, arranging barber trips for the young boys etc.
Mohammad Ali: We should give them charity before Eid and distribute gifts. We can start from helping those near us like our maids, servants, driver, guard, society guard, etc.
Asma Inayat: Our tiny little empathetic acts create a big difference by the end of the day. Even if there’s just one poor person whom we can help out with food in Ramadan and provide him with Eid clothes, it will have an immense impact over the society at large. Along with the food and clothing, if we take out time to share Islamic knowledge with him, we can help him with not only dunya but his aakhirah too..
Ishaq bin Sadiq: By visiting them and giving them gifts, organizing a party for street boys of your area.
6. What Special Thing Do You Do for Your Family over Eid?
Fiza Khan: I like to make some Eid treats for whoever I can…
Mohammad Ali: Take them to meet other family members. That’s special in this age of social media.
Ishaq bin Sadiq: I give Eidi 😉
Do YOU have any Eid stories to share with us? Do tell us in the comments below.
