Eid away from home, is half the eid

Eid away from is no Eid at all. Though I did go for the Eid namaz but spent the rest of the day sleeping. No one visiting, no recieving or giving eidies. No chole, no dahi bare, no siwaiyyan, especially siwayyain. The first challange here was to find a place for Eid prayers. Our usual masjid where we went for Juma did not work this time. We had to gather at some bigger mosque. Second problem was to find the transportation to get there. A Microsoft project manger gave us the lift in the morning when he left for fajr prayers. After offering fajr we walked to the Jama Mosque for the prayer and different from us it takes place quite early here. We offered it around 6.15 in the morining while in Karachi the time is usually after sunrise like 8am.

The actual prayer was slightly different as well. Around 15 mins before the prayer the Imam started reciting Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Walillah alhamd. I know this is the suplication you recite before eid prayers even while going to the mosque but I have seen only the Imam reciting it not the whole crowd chanting in sync. I had been awake the whole night before so during this whole thing I was in and out, every so often the lights going out for me, still I succeeded in getting to the prayer part.

Then came the actual prayer, the same two rakats. But, instead of the six additional takbirs in total, meaning three in first and three in second, we had twelve of them and the Imam not telling us the method of prayer. No letting hands free and then holding them at fourth call. Though it doesnt matter as we can offer this prayer as long as it is one of the ways of the Prophet (SAW).

Last but not least was the part where after the prayer and after the khutbah people hug each other and shake hands and say Eid Mubarak. We did that too but since there was just one collegue with me, it was over too soon, nothing like at home, where you had family and neighbours and friends. Still an Eid is an Eid. Eid Mubarak to eveyone with a wish that you may have enjoyed it the more familiar way and had a more lovelier one.