Millions of people prayed for peace, security and prosperity of Pakistan during huge Eid congregations across the country today (Wednesday).

Three days of official Eidul Azha holidays, from November 17 to 19, will be followed by two weekly holidays, giving people ample time to celebrate the festival with their families.

Meanwhile, strict security arrangements had been made across the country for the celebrations.

Eid and happiness

For many years now, our Eids have been sad occasions overshadowed by events that deter us from expressing happiness. Both Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha pass with people trying their best to look as if they are celebrating, not spontaneously but in obedience to the Divine edict. Eidul Azha has the extra dimension of sacrifice which bares the growing economic weakness of the masses to anyone who cares to take note. This year, it is being observed amid an extra load of sorrow: the mega-flood still has millions of affected people in its grip and terrorism, perpetrated by Muslims against Muslims, is on the upswing.

There are certain economic laws that the media wants to defy when it depicts the negative side of the holy occasions of Hajj and Eid. Ever since the country’s creation, the price hike is portrayed as a shock that should be prevented. Yet, because of the entry of some young and knowledgeable journalists into these business programmes of TV channels, the hike is now described as helpful to farmers who raise sacrificial animals. The economy of sacrifice — from the rearing of the animal to its sale — is in complete conformity with the laws of economics; it is the common man who benefits on the production side and the charities who gain from the sacrificial spinoff of hides.

If it is any consolation, the entire Islamic World has been described in the khutba of the chief cleric of the Kaaba as a polity in trouble of one sort or another. If you count Eid Milad also, our three Eids make us sad, which invariably concentrates our minds on where we have gone wrong. The chief cleric this year spoke less of the unfairness of the world against Muslims and more of the cruelty of Muslims against Muslims. Eid Milad has more often than not been marred by one major sect slaughtering the other. Let us hope that this Eid passes without violence.