RAWALPINDI: Residents of the garrison city celebrated Eidul Fitr with religious enthusiasm and fervour amid tight security.

Rain lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on the evening of Eid, making the weather pleasant. Mosques across the city were decorated and a large number of people offered Eid prayers in the mosques and Eidgahs.

In the Eid sermons, prayer leaders and religious scholars urged people to follow the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and work for peace in the world and the country. They also prayed for the unity of Muslim Ummah and peace in Palestine.

After Eid prayers, people thronged graveyards to offer prayers for their near and dear ones and laid wreaths on their graves. Florists had set up stalls around all the 36 graveyards in the twin cities to facilitate the visitors.

Because of the rain, the residents celebrated the first day of Eid in their houses and moved to parks and picnic spots on the second and third days. Murree, Ayub National Park, Jinnah Park, Arena Cinema at Bahria Town, Shamsabad public park as well as parks in Islamabad witnessed rush of visitors. People with their families and friends also visited different eateries.

The business of sweets got momentum as huge rush was witnessed on all bakeries and sweet shops with people buying cakes and sweets for their friends and relatives. Traffic remained off the road whereas cabs minted money from passengers.

The Jungle Kingdom at Ayub National Park remained the biggest attraction for children. Most of the children were seen enjoying electronic swings.

Rush was also witnessed in the city cinema houses, restaurants, cafes and parks, especially Jinnah Park on Airport Road where Cinepax Cinema, Cine Gold and Arena cinemas in Bahria Town.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2024