Farzana Mumtaz
Id al-Fitr is being celebrated by Muslims worldwide with much religious fervor and zest . Pertinently, Id al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, “festival of breaking of the fast”) and is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). As a matter of fact, the religious Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.
We are celebrating Eid this year in the backdrop of one after another tragedies that have shaken the nation of Kashmir frequently , and definitely this time our most happy festival has come on the occasion of grief. The Kashmir conflict has taken more deadly turn and valley is virtually now a killing field .
Just few days before eid , three militants were killed in a gunfight with forces in an overnight encounter in New Colony Kakapora. The killings triggered massive protests and clashes in which one civilian was killed and dozens injured. One of the dead militant was 14 year old and civilian just 22.
Sane opinion on ground zero is that intimidation and cruel measures can no longer be an answer to quell the political sentiment of Kashmir and time has come to recognize Kashmir as political problem and offer political solution. The painful situation in Kashmir has also been termed by many intellectual voices of India as a blot to “Indian democracy.
Mehvish Khan, a journalist stated – “It is indeed a moment for somber reflection and prayers on this Eid for lasting peace as we are facing sorrow times . We share the agony and the pain of those who have lost their loved ones and pray that the Almighty bestow His choicest Blessings on them. We should celebrate Eid with simplicity and pray from the core of heart that peace, happiness returns to sorrow hit valley of Kashmir .”
Gulzar Ahmad, a commoner stated – “ We are celebrating the festivity of Eid in the backdrop of continuous killings .The dance of death is happening everywhere in the Valley of Kashmir . It is high time that for the sake of humanity all stakeholders start brainstorming to solve the deadly political issue of Kashmir.On this Eid the grief of pain hit valley of Kashmir has multiplied.”
Without an iota of doubt, Eid Fervor this time around is dampened in Kashmir among killings, sufferings, maiming, blinding and suffocation.