Not your Average (Overseas) Eid

A lazy Sunday afternoon and your WhatsApp groups debate the last day of Ramadan and the subsequent first day of Eid. A sight I thought I’d never see in the Netherlands, but some things don’t change.

However, it hit me that tomorrow will be my first ever Eid-ul Fitr away from home. No knocking on the door at 6 am, to wear your brightest of Shalwar Kameez, hug random men with fake scents, and not forget the number of hugs, which oscillates from one to infinite when it comes to Pakistani men. But, it doesen’t end here. You’ll have to go back home to a sugary dining room with sweets, ‘sawaiyyan,’ ‘sheer khorma,’ et al.

Though medical experts and nutritionists won’t agree, what I found fascinating was to sleep right after taking a whole month of sugars together. Then, while you're almost into your slow-wave sleep, some random aunty might enter your room looking to perform her afternoon prayers, and then you realize that you already have heavily dressed guests over.

For all those celebrating Eid both at home and abroad, try to be kind and empathetic towards each other because there may not be any more extraordinary service than being good to our fellows.