Pakistan to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday

LAHORE - Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated on Saturday in the country including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan with great religious fervour and festivity.

The day will dawn with special prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of the country at Masajid.

Eid is an Arabic term meaning "festivity" or "celebration" while Fitr means "to break the fast". It falls on the first day of Shawwal Al-Mukarram, following the fasting month of Ramadan.

Eid is celebrated for a period of three days. It is a joyous occasion for all Muslims, particularly children. It is a time for spreading peace, sharing with others and giving thanks for completing another period of fasting for the month of Ramadan.

Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting but also thank God for the help and strength that He gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.

On the occasion, the faithful wear clean, neat clothes and offer Eid prayers at mosques, 'Eidgahs' and open places across the country - seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.

Following the Eid prayers, Muslims will spend their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate. Sweets and other special dishes would be prepared for serving the guests. People will also exchange gifts on the occasion.

Special prayers would be offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the `Ummah', a solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir.

The government has declared Eid holidays from June 15 to June 18. In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the `Eid' congregations would be held at more than one thousand places.

In Islamabad, the biggest congregation would be held at the grand Faisal Mosque, where the high-ups of the government are likely to offer Eid prayers.

In Rawalpindi, the biggest Eid congregation would be held at the historic Liaquat Bagh. The Radio and Television channels have chalked out a series of special programmes on the occasion of Eid.

While newspapers will publish special supplements, highlighting the significance of the day.