Eid preparations in full swing in capital

• Buying sacrificial animals, citizens also finalising their preparations, colourful dresses and other accessories

ISLAMABAD: As Eidul Azha festival is near, citizens in the federal capital are finalising their preparations through buying the sacrificial animals as well as colourful dresses and other eid accessories to celebrate this mega religious festival in a befitting manner.

A huge number of people especially men and children can be seen around the cattle markets looking for the sacrificial animal on suitable prices while women and children are visiting the markets to finalise their preparations. “The major excitement for most of the children is decorating the sacrificial animals and spending maximum time with them, having less concentration on buying dresses, shoes and other accessories,” said Aisha Mushtaq, a mother.

“I have bought my Eid dress, shoes and matching jewelry soon after the Independence Day as earlier the markets were overcrowded due to Azadi sales and discounts,” she said. Now, “I will go to store for buying grocery especially spices for meat-related menu on Eid and other food items,” she said.

Asim Mumtaz, a resident of G-9 Markaz, said that majority of the citizens have completed their Eid shopping during the Independence Day sales to get maximum advantage from the offered discounts. However, there were few who waited for the arrival of the Eid collection and new designs in the markets, he said.

The main attraction for the Eidul Azha is no doubt the ritual of sacrificing animal not the other preparations but whenever there is any occasion, women and children cannot stop themselves from shopping and dressing up in a new look.

“I and my friends will buy matching jewelry, bangles and mehndi for this Eid too. Eidul Azha is not only meant for sacrificing animals and we must prepare ourselves for getting maximum joy out of this festival,” said Iqra Aziz, a young girl. “The only ‘disadvantage’ for us is that on this Eid, most of the people do not focus on giving Eidi,” she said.