IDi with a mindfulness

The aroma of samosas frying wafted through the decorated houses, the murmurs of the recitation of the Quran and the scent of henna wafting through the air is what Id is all about.

Id-ul-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all over the world which also marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan. Id is celebrated in several ways with gatherings where families meet after exchanges of gifts known as idi. People across the world celebrate Id in accordance with their own culture which gives the festival interesting variations in attire and food enjoyed on the day. People share their thoughts on this glorious festival.     

Tasmiya  Farheen, a BSc student, feels Id is a family affair, simple yet big. “The buzz of Id starts from a week before the actual occasion. Eager since morning, at the first sight of the moon, the full house goes into a frenzy. We start off with preparations of sheer khurma or seviyyan. The meat shops are open beyond midnight. Ladies, girls and children have their hands adorned with beautiful mehendi and everyone stays up late chatting. Men return from offering their prayers early morning on Id, and the ladies take the preparation of biryani extremely seriously. Normally, we spend the first half of the day with our paternal family and the second half with our maternal one. Pleasantries are exchanged in person and over phones. Everyone from the age of five to 25 eagerly asks for idi from the elders, the money is a gift and blessing. Fancy dresses, lavish sweets, outings with family and staying up all night are the little joys of this auspicious day,” says Tasmiya.

Yusra Saqib, a student, is excited as well, “There is a great feeling of excitement before Id. It traditionally starts with the Id prayer, followed by a short sermon. Following tradition, we head to our granny’s place to celebrate this joyous day. Id is known for the food that is prepared. There is a large variety of sweets and other dishes. We wear the best traditional clothes and we get money as a blessing from elders. People enjoy and have fun with their family and friends. By the end of the day, children are excited to count their money collection! We are also heartbroken as we have to wait for another year for this joyous and delightful festival.”

The whole month has been a prayerful month for Simra Meher, a BBA student who says, “We all wake up for fajr (morning prayers) on the day of Id, freshen up, get dressed and have breakfast together which is usually roti with paya or mutton macaroni and seviyyan for dessert before the men folk leave for Id prayers. The ladies of the house offer prayer and then start preparing the day’s lunch. Later in the evening, relatives visit and we visit our older relatives’ homes, where everyone gathers. It’s always pleasant to spend time with the entire family. It’s fun and filled with loads of blessings, sweets and idi!”

The tennis star cherishes homecoming on id

Sania Mirza

This Id is particularly special for me, because I am celebrating it after a long time back home here in Hyderabad. Since I am expecting, my family has been pampering me a little bit more than usual. My husband Shoaib is also coming down to celebrate the occasion with us. I’m looking forward to seeing him experience a typically Hyderabadi Id this year.

On the day of Id, lunch is always a hearty meal at my masi’s home, where we enjoy the traditional seviyan and sheer khurma.

After this we might go and visit elders and other family members to convey our respects. At night we usually entertain guests who come over at home. For me this Id marks a period of new beginnings, something I’m really looking forward to.