Celebrate with family and friends
Shabana Azmi, actor
Eid to us is as important as Holi and Diwali. I will be celebrating at home with family and close friends, as has been the norm all these years. During earlier times Abba’s (father Kaifi Azmi) friends would drop in and the standard fare would be dahi vadas and sheer khorma. Now everybody just comes for lunch. Biryani, kabaabs, aloo ghost, chicken dum, mirchi ka salan and sheer khorma is the Eid menu. The night before Eid we all pitch in to cut the badaam and pista for the sheer khorma. Kids put mehendi, the bangle-wali comes to make jodas for all and everybody waits to sight the Eid Ka Chand. Sadly, the ghararas have made way for the more practical salwar-kurta. Kids look forward to their Eidi. I love the bohnhomie and most of all the continuity of tradition. (As told to Subhash K Jha)
Mom’s biryani, the best
Khayyum Ali, actor
We have seen our father do charity during Ramadan and we are continuing our tradition. My mother too played a very important role; she cooked for everyone in the family. Eid brings the family together; we visit our mother’s native place to celebrate the festival. I am missing my mother’s special biriyani and kheer which we used to have when we were young. Now she can’t cook because of her old age. When my mother used to cook, the biryani was sent to actors Chiranjeevi, and Balakrishna’s homes too. Even celebrities would come home earlier to wish us on Eid; nobody needed an invitation.
Time to pray and do charity
Sumaira Sarib Rasool Khan, director, Shadan Education Society
From the night before eid, on Chaand raat, our celebrations begin. It is the day when we sight the moon for the coming month. During Ramadan we pray and be together as a family — the charity we do and prayers are special. It feels that we have done a bit of our duty towards humanity — towards anybody who is in need. This time we gave Sunna (gifting) for the wellbeing for people who serve like the policemen, traffic sergeants, nurse. We hug each other after prayers and share sheer khorma. To decorate the house, we place Moroccan lamps with candles in it.
My son’s first Eid
Shaz Mehmood, proprietor, Olive Bistro
The beauty of Hyderabad is that Eid, Diwali and Christmas are all celebrated with great spirits by everyone! This year is special for us as its my new born son’s first Eid! We look forward to meeting the elders of the family and seek their blessings. On Eid its mainly sheer khorma. My wife Samiya is super excited on this Eid with our new born child. We visit our in-laws place for lunch and dinner is with my family. On the second day we meet friends.”
Pray for peace
Scheherazade Javeri, entrepreneur
Nothing has changed the way we celebrate Eid and what are our duties for the month of Ramadan and Eid celebrations. The only change is the sad state of our world today and hate. The very word Islam comes from the verb salaam which means peace. Peace is what we require.
Helped people in need
Mohammed Musharraf Ali Faruqui, IAS, Additional Commissioner, GHMC
For us, zakat during Ramadan is customary. This year too I had first calculated my net income and accordingly saved the 2.5% zakat amount. I gave this amount to different charitable organisations and to a person I knew personally who needed help for medical treatment. I am satisfied with the way I was able to help people who were in need.
Ensure zakat reaches the right people
Fatima Irfan, fashion designer
Every year I feel satisfied when I see my zakat going to a right place. This year too it was no different. I gave my share of zakat to a few NGOs in the city who work towards providing education to the underprivileged and empowering girls with different skills.
A day of feasting
Anam Mirza, fashion designer
Eid is one of my most favourite festival. It’s all about coming together with your loved ones. After a month of fasting, Eid is the day of feasting. For me Eid is all about family, loved friends and amazing food! Eid shopping is a must. And my dress is all ready. A typical Eid day is we wake up early and finish our prayers. We get ready and have an early breakfast — that’s very elaborate. Kheema and parathas usually. We have homemade sheer khorma. We head out visiting our family and friends post that.
