Residents of twin cities celebrate Eid with religious zeal

Rawalpindi

Like all parts of the country, the residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated Eidul Azha with religious zeal and fervour to commemorate the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). After offering Eid prayer, the followers started slaughtering sacrificial animals since morning and remained busy till late night.

Eid congregations were held in different areas here in Rawalpindi included Jamia Masjid Road, Eidgah Sharif, Morgha, Liaquat Bagh, Adiala Road, Chungi No.22, Waris Khan, Saddar, Lalkurti, Pirwadhai, Chur, Misrial, Circular Road, Dhoke Kala Khan, Satellite Town, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Mukha Sing Estate, Gulistan Colony, Tench, Girja, Gurakhpur and several other localities, where people offered Eid prayers in large numbers. 'Ulema' highlighted the significance of Eidul Azha and the philosophy of sacrifice in their sermons.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Gondal including judges and other high ranking officials offered Eid prayer in judge's colony near Army House.

Federal and provincial governments chalked out elaborate security arrangements across the country, particularly in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on the occasion to avoid any untoward incident.

Civic authorities have made special arrangements for disposal of offal and other solid waste during three days of Eid. The Solid Waste Management with the help of Albayrak lifted animal's waste in all areas of city. Some of inner city areas particularly Jamia Masjid Road, Banni, Ganjmandi, Dhoke Ratta and Asghar Mall are still not cleared. Animal's waste is lying along roads.

In Islamabad, the main congregation was held here at Faisal Mosque where thousands of faithful offered Eid prayers. After offering Eid prayers, the faithful slaughtered their sacrificial animals in remembrance of 'Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi'.

The process continued till the third day of Eid on Thursday. People slaughtered animals and then distributed meat among the deserving people besides their relatives. This year, people have no option to visit different parks on the third day of Eid because there was no leave in third day and they have to attend offices on Thursday. However, there was thin presence in government and private offices on Thursday.

"We were busy in slaughtering sacrificial animals during two days of Eid Tuesday and Wednesday, we wanted to visit to parks on third day of Eid but government not allowed us to do so," Muhammad Imran Malik a government employee said. Those went to recreational spots, they were absent from offices, he said.

Having spent the first day of Eid in search of butcher, getting the sacrificial animal slaughtered and distribution of meat in two days, on third day some of citizens were seen flocking to numerous public parks, especially Roomi Park, Nawaz Sharif Park, Ayub National Park, Family Park and Jinnah Park.

However, the people were complaining about lack of facilities at the parks and high rates of edibles at canteens and cafeterias. They were also irritated while paying extra money for parking facilities at the parks. They were of the view that the government should ensure entry to all parks with parking facilities at reasonable rates besides the prices of all items available in the canteens and cafeterias should be checked and controlled.

In the federal capital, Shakarparian, Lake View Park, Saidpur Village, National Monument, Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park), Daman-e-Koh and Faisal Mosque were main attractions for the visitors, including men, women and children for spending their Eid holidays.

Some people were also seen travelling towards Murree Hills and adjoining areas on second day of Eid. The vendors take full benefit of the situation as the concerned authorities failed to control the quality and rates of the commodities. The rates of chips, biscuits, burgers, soft drinks, mineral water and other items were almost double in the parks of twin cities as compared to open markets.

After Eid prayers, people also visited graveyards to pray for the soul of their near and dear ones. Florists had set up stalls near all graveyards across the twin cities as people use to buy flowers, rose water and petals to shower them on graves of their loved ones and remember them.

On the other hand, shopkeepers fleeced public. 'Naanbais' sold a 'naan' for Rs10 and a 'roti' for Rs8. Milkmen sold 1 litre milk for Rs120 and yogurt at the rate of Rs130 per kilogram. Tomatoes were available at the rate of Rs100 per kilogram on first, second and third day of Eid.

Similarly, transporters, particularly taxicab drivers, charged high fares. Wagons and buses charged Rs10 extra on Eid days. Petrol pump staff and CNG station staff also demanded 'Eidi' and charged extra money.