MINGORA – Repeated clashes between government troops and Taliban militants are casting a pall over the joy and glamour of `Eid Al-Fitr in Pakistan’s restive valley of Swat. “`Eid Al-Fitr has always been a real time to celebrate here,” Abdullah Khan, a Swati resident, told IslamOnline.
The father of three recalls the traditional celebrations of Swatis of the advent of `Eid, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
“If there is a heavy gunfire on the 29th day of Ramadan, the people of Swat would know that the `Eid moon was sighted,” he said.
“As soon as the moon was sighted, people would come out of their homes, and greet each other.
“But this time, nothing like that is going to happen.”
The Pakistani army launched a deadly offensive against the Taliban in Swat in April to uproot the militants from the region, killing around 2000 and arresting around 1000.
Though several Taliban commanders, including the local Taliban chief Maulvi Fazlullah, were taken into the army custody, clashes still rage in several areas across the region.
“Our area has been under curfew for last many days,” said Abdullah, a resident of Khuwazakhela, an epicenter of the fighting.
`Eid Al-Fitr is one of the two main Islamic religious festivals, together with `Eid Al-Adha.
After special prayers to mark the day, festivities and merriment start.
During `Eid days, families and friends exchange visits to express well wishes and children, wearing new clothes bought especially for `Eid, enjoy going out in parks and open fields.
Somber
Abdullah laments that most Swatis lack resources to celebrate the Muslim festival.
“We are running out of money,” he told IOL.
“We have spent all our savings, and even the money we received from philanthropists and friends residing out of Swat.
“Nowadays, there is no buyer, and no seller here,” he said.
“Even if I have money, where would I go to buy clothes and shoes for my children. Only a few shops and stores are open, where one can buy essential items transported from other parts of Swat, which are relatively peaceful.”
In Mingora, the capital of Swat, the situation is relative better as a slight economic boom during Ramadan has enabled locals to celebrate `Eid.
“It is totally unexpected. I could not even imagine till a month ago that I would be celebrating `Eid in my hometown, and could buy clothes, and shoes for my children,” Gul Namroz, who owns a shoes shop, told IOL.
Gul was forced to flee his home along with thousands of Swatis to shelter camps over the fighting.
“I had left everything back home. I had had my savings with a local bank, but I could not take my cheque books (which he kept at his shop) as the security forces gave us a few hours to leave,” said Gul, who returned back home recently.
“I retrieved my cheque books, when I came back, and took out my savings, which helped me restore my business to an extent.
“Thanks to Allah, I have earned to an extent whereby I can buy clothes and shoes for my children, and other family members,” a grateful Gul said.
Despite the relatively better situation in Mingora, the local markets still miss the traditional rush on the even of `Eid.
“People are coming to buy shoes, but much lesser than the previous year,” he said.
“We have kept the prices lower keeping the financial position of the local people. And it has attracted the people, but still no comparison with the previous years.”
Source: IslamOnline
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