Mangalore, November 7: The joys of the Eid season may be palpable in the air, but for a considerable number of Muslims women in the twin districts of coastal Karnataka, it is also a time for missing their kin, who live in gulf countries.
“My husband went to Dubai, four years ago and since then celebrating Eid has been a strange experience for me”, said Shama Parween, a home-maker from Moodbidri.
“Over the phone he also expresses his difficult experience in celebrating the festival far away from home without me, his parents and siblings”, she said.
Zareena, a teacher from Ujire said that her husband has not been able to visit home town during the Eid festivities since he began his job in the capital of United Arab Emirates. Two of her sisters and all three brothers too are making their livelihood abroad.
"I am sure that my husband will miss me and his mother. He was very fond of my mother-in-law's delicious cooking”, she said.
Hawwa, a 72 year old mother of nine children, said four of her sons live abroad. “Two of my gulf sons have visited India, but, did not meet me. They are celebrating Eid with their wives and in-laws. Other children conveyed me Eid Mubarak over phone,” she said.
Khatheeja, whose husband recently bagged a good job in the city of Riyadh, said that she spends her day with her parents and in-laws. “But, I am really wondering what my hubby is up to”, she exclaimed.
“However, to make up for his absence at home, he sent double money a couple of days ago. He asked me not to hesitate to spend money during Eid”, she said.
Bushra of Belthangady too received a little extra money from her husband, who called her on Eid morning and spoke for about an hour.
For Aisha, 28, who is celebrating her second Eid in the absence of her gulf husband, it was hardest when she came to know that her husband's Eid holidays were suddenly cancelled.
Roshan Akthar, a mother of two cute children, said that she was wondering how to celebrate the great festival without her beloved husband, who works for a prestigious firm in Abu Dhabi. “He had joined us in Eid-ul-Fitr. Today, my children are asking me why I look so dull. How can I explain them?” says, Akthar.
Loneliness
"This is my third Eid-ul-Adha. However, there is a feeling of loneliness this year compared to previous years, as I am missing my husband for the first time during a festival. I only long to be with him this Eid as I am not ready to celebrate any festival with my parents and siblings until they stop worshiping idols”, said Fathima, who reverted to Islam three years ago.
She added that the sadness can however be overcome with increasing prayers and mingling with her good friends, with whom she is spending the Eid holiday.
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