How Eid-ul-Azha celebrations have changed over time

Know what this religious festival is all about

As we are nearing the 10th day of Zil Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims from across the world have once again gathered to simultaneously perform the rites of Hajj, followed by the sacred act of Qurbani (animal sacrifice) to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s trials, sacrifice and his devotion to Allah.

Being one of the two major festivals in Islam, Eid-ul-Azha, locally known as the “Bari Eid” or “Bakra Eid”, holds a very special place in our lives as this occasion is all about thanking Allah for his blessings, sharing meat, love, and care with those around us. While for men, it’s all about traveling back and forth to “Cow Mandi” and taking care of the sacrificial animals, ladies out there struggle to find the perfect new outfit to wear on Eid as the family gathers up to have special dishes and bbq nights.

However, with the exception of a few, the way of celebrating the Eid-ul-Azha has evolved over time and varies from country to country. From the inclusion of social media to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on our lifestyle, here is how Eid-ul-Azha celebrations have changed over time.

Staying connected… virtually!

There is no denying the fact that social media has become an essential part of our life. Be it via Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, or any other app, the virtual way to wish “Eid Mubarak” has taken over the mainstream ways of greeting each other on special occasions. Soon after the moon is sighted to mark the blessed days of Eid-ul-Azha, people start sharing photos, quotes, and messages on their social platforms. It gives them a sense of staying connected with their circle even if they are physically unable to.

While social media has made it easy for those living far from their families to virtually stay connected at festivals like these, elderly people or those who don’t have access to technology may feel left out. Regardless of how social media has revolutionized our lifestyle, it cannot beat the heartwarming sense of just being there for each other and there is a void to be filled!

Eid gifts and meat

Where social media posts are the new hand-written Eid greeting cards, the online delivery app has transformed the way to send meat and Eid gifts to your loved ones. Where it comes in handy in situations when you do not have time or resources to personally meet everyone, sending gifts and meat via a carrier loses the personal touch which is an important essence of festivals like these. Still, it’s a great way to let your loved ones know they are in your thoughts in times like these.

Bangles, henna & dressing up

Gone are the days when we all used to “doll up” for three days straight on Eid. There was a time when Eid felt incomplete without henna and bangles and these two things used to be the main focus for the ladies on the eve of the 10th Zil Hajj. However, today, when both men and women are in the middle of a major shift in roles and expectations, life has become busier and most people don’t have time for these little things that made Eid-ul-Azha different from other days.

The pandemic and lockdown have further encouraged staying at home in your PJs and dressing up only for special events.

Dining out

The old-school way of cooking special meat dishes and having bbq nights still prevails, however, most people these days prefer to dine out and celebrate the holidays. In our society, where women spend most of their time in the kitchen cooking Eid delicacies, it’s a positive change to let everyone enjoy the holidays equally.

The post-Covid effects!

The SOPs we followed during the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic have now become a regular part of our daily lives. Social distancing to avoid physical contact and crowds is one reason why most Eid-ul-Azha celebrations have slowed in the last couple of years. Where a large number of Muslims used to gather for Namaz-e-Eid Ijtima, which marks the beginning of Eid celebrations, we witnessed a massive decline in crowd attendance, especially in 2020. At the time when restaurants stopped accommodating dine-ins, people preferred to stay at home instead of getting together with their loved ones even on the occasion of Eid. Last year, the world tried to shift to its normal routine but once again, due to the resurgence of Covid cases during the second wave of the pandemic, it all went in vain.

Let’s see if we will get to witness and be a part of those heartwarming gatherings again because it seems that social distancing is the new way of hanging out now.

Regardless of the fact that Eid-ul-Azha celebrations have changed over time, the festival will continue to be one of the joyous occasions of the year and a reason to be there for each other.