Islamabad:As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, households across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have begun their traditional pre-Eid preparations, turning homes into centers of activity with deep cleaning, cooking plans and shopping for festive attire.
For generations, it has been a cultural norm for families to thoroughly clean their homes before Eid. Curtains are washed, carpets are cleaned, cupboards are reorganised and fresh bed linen is laid out to welcome relatives and guests, who visit in large numbers during the festive days.
Housewives say the cleaning ritual is not merely about tidiness but also about creating a warm and welcoming environment for loved ones. “Eid is a time when our homes remain full of guests for several days,” said Shehnaz, a homemaker from Islamabad.
“We change the curtains, clean every corner and decorate the house with fresh flowers and nice scent and aroma so that everyone who visits feels comfortable and welcomed.” Alongside cleaning, kitchen preparations are also in full swing. Freezers and refrigerators are being cleared to make space for the dishes that will be prepared in advance for the Eid feast.
Families often plan menus for at least three days, preparing items in batches so that the day of Eid can be spent celebrating rather cooking for long hours. Anjum, a housewife and resident of Rawalpindi shared, “Just like we prepare sehri and iftar during Ramazan so that we have more time for prayers, we prepare food ahead of Eid so we can focus on meeting family and friends. My sister is coming from abroad to attend her in-laws wedding after Eid, and she'll be staying with us for few days, I need to plan my menu accordingly.
Desserts remain the highlight of the Eid table. Traditional sweets, especially various types of "Siwayyan" are prepared in advance. Soon after returning from the mosque after offering Eid prayers, families traditionally serve dessert before the main Eid spread is laid out. Children, meanwhile, are eagerly waiting for the big day. “I already tried my Eid dress twice to check its fitting,” said Eight year old Samaha excitedly.
