Recently, Eid-ul-Fitr photo shoot was arranged under the auspices of Pakistaniaat’s Pakistan Bureau featuring Hakeemah Beenish Jamal, a renowned nutritionist; TV anchor & socialite and children.

Beenish with her nieces and nephews

Eid-ul-Fitr is an Islamic festival that marks the completion of the Month of Ramadhan i.e., Islamic holy month during which Muslims fast. ‘Eid’ means festivity and ‘Fitr’ refers to breaking the fast.

There are either 29 or 30 days in Ramadhan depending on the sighting of moon i.e., on 29^th day of Ramadhan a moon sighting

^th fast is observed before Eid festival commences. Normally Eid-ul-Fitr festival is celebrated for three days during which public holidays are announced in Islamic countries.

Muslims all around the world fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadhan. Muslim fasting is not only about abstinence from food and drinks rather it also takes into account purity of spirits; thoughts and feelings. Islamic fast is an exercise that results in purification of body and soul. Fasting makes people realize the endless bounties of Allah the most Beneficent and Merciful. Hence, it is a month of blessings and bounties.

First Ramadhan was observed in 2^nd Hijri 624 A.D. during the times of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upin Him – PBUH).

It is said that the Eid belongs to children. Women folks buy bangles on the eve of Eid called ‘Chaand Raat’ and also ‘Mehndi’ i.e., application of ‘Hina’ for temporary decoration of hands and feet and coloring of hair is done by many folks.

Muslims offer morning prayers at Eid Gah’s (as Prophet PBUH used to offer prayers at places dedicated for Eid prayers not mosques). However, Eid prayers can be offered at mosques as well and other places where a large congregation can be accommodated. Muslims wear new clothes and ‘fitrana’ or Eid alms is distributed to the deserving Muslims. Children are given ‘Eidi’ i.e., money to buy sweats; toys and clothes etc.  Muslims greet each other on the Eid day. Sweet dishes are cooked particularly sweat meat and vermicelli in milk are the commonly cooked cuisines.

Eid-ul-Fitr is the minor Eid and Eid-ul-Azha is the major Eid. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated around 40 days after Eid-ul-Fitr when Muslims perform Hajj and sacrifice of animals is made in memory of the spirit of Hazrat Abraheem (PBUH) when he willingly offered Hazrat Ismaeel (PBUH) as a sacrifice to Allah after seeing a dream in which he was asked to sacrifice his most revered belonging in the way of Lord Almighty.

Minor children; old folks and people who cannot fast due to health reasons or are travelling are exempted from fasting. They can compensate for not observing fast during Ramadhan by either offering food to needy or poor or completing the stipulated number of fasts after Eid. Fasting on Eid day is prohibited.

Recently a third type of Eid i.e., Eid Milad-un-Nabi has also became vogue during which birthday of the holy prophet Muhammad PBUH is celebrated.

Credits:

Photography:                   Shas Bhatti Studios Rawalpindi

Make-up:                            Make-up Lounge by Zoniya

Hair Stylist:                      Azhar Sonu

Dress Designer:                SNS (Shahzad Nawaz & Samra)

Jewellry:                             SAJ