Eid is over and it is back to the usual routine for diplomats in the capital city.

“Well, it is not quite back to normal yet,” said Almatkhan Kali, assistant to the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Kazakhstan Ambassador Bakhitbek Shabarbayev, who is otherwise busy hosting and attending diplomatic events several times a week.

“It takes a week or so before everyone is back. Many Europeans also take their summer vacations during these holidays,” he said.

Cultural Counsellor at the German Embassy, Burghard Brinksmeier said he visited a famous Sufi shrine in the Diplomatic Enclave on Eid and also gave gifts to needy people.

“I first went to a church and then to the shrine. Last year, which was my first year in Pakistan, I visited the beautiful Faisal Mosque on Eid,” he said. Mr Brinksmeier studied theology before becoming a diplomat in Germany.

Austrian Ambassador Brigitta Blaha said she was quite busy with work during Eid.

“Local staff members were off, but not Austrian diplomats. But I did get opportunity for some reflection and recreation and I went for walks in the beautiful Margalla Hills,” she said.

“It was very quiet during Eid at the Azerbaijan Embassy,” said Samir Juliyev, who handles media issues among other tasks.

“Many diplomats travelled home during the holidays. But work has started again and Ambassador Ali Alizada received a delegation from home this week,” Mr Juliyev said.

The acting Norwegian Ambassador, Nina Hal Schelderup, who is normally deputy head of mission, said she had a very busy time over the Eid holidays, though the embassy was closed.

“My term in Pakistan is ending in a few days and I was busy packing and winding up work. I will have a few weeks of holiday in Norway and then I will take up my new post at the Representative Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem,” Ms Schelderup said.

“I will take with me fond memories from Pakistan, not only from Ramazan and Eid, but the whole year,” she said.

Mushtaq Moeeni, a Pakistani adviser at the Japanese Embassy explained the cultural aspects of Ramazan and Eid.

“For Muslims, Eid is a religious holiday and maybe also for members of other religious, since Ramazan and Eid have universal value,” he said.

— Text and photos by Atle Hetland & Shahbaz Chaudary

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2017