Temporarily forgetting problems like power outages, inflation, and unemployment facing the country, the people of Lahore celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with unprecedented enthusiasm this year. On the first day of Eid, thousands of citizens thronged mosques and Eidgahs to offer prayers in various parts of the provincial metropolis. The largest Eid congregation in the city was seen at Badshahi Masjid. Eid prayers were also held at Data Darbar, Masjid-e-Shuhada, Masjid Wzir Khan, Jamia Mosque, and Bagh-e-Jinnah. Special prayers for the solidarity, integrity and sovereignty of the country were also offered.
Despite the economic crunch, people followed age old traditions such as giving Eidi to children, exchanging cakes and sweets and visiting graves of their loved ones. Girls and women with henna done on their hands on Chaand Raat wore special dresses with matching bangles and shoes. After getting Eidi, children were seen rushing to shops to buy candies. Parks, cinemas, restaurants, and other recreational facilities witnessed great crowds during the three days of Eid festivities. The centre of attraction as usual was the Lahore Zoo, which overflowed with visitors. The Lahore Zoo director said that the zoo management had made special arrangements to present a variety of shows to attract more visitors during the Eid holidays, adding that wildlife guides were deployed at various important points, especially near the tiger and bear cages, to provide information to the visitors about them. The director said a msall area had alos been marked where kids could enjoy rides and jumping jacks.
Talking to Pakistan today, Malik Imran, visintg the zoo with his family, said, “My children had been insisting that we go to the zoo on Eid so I came with my family to enjoy. We are having a lot of fun and my children are very happy to see all the animals.” Hundreds of families were also seen enjoying at fares and Eid melas organized especially for the occasion at various localities in the provincial metropolis. PIA planetarium near Chouburji attracted hordes of children while a theme centre near Jallo Park, with its multiple rides and slides, pulled large crowds. Shumaila, who had come to Jallo Park with her family, said, “The first day of Eid was spent entertaining guests at home so today we decided to come outdoors to enjoy and have a good time.”Another visitor said children enjoyed al ot at the park as it had several rides besides having a variety of animals.
A lot of hustle bustle was witnessed at Race Course Park, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Model Town Central Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Minar-e-Pakistan and Jallo Park. People took Eid as the best chance to enjoy their favorite food and were seen having a great time at restaurants offering continental and fast food as well at the Food Street.
