Eid ul Azha - The Meat Eid!

While Malala is recovering from her shot wounds in Birmingham, Kainat Riaz, one of the two other girls injured in the attack is back to school, determined to get her education, as the other girls of the school do.

The Supreme Court orders "immediate operation" in Karachi to tackle the rising crime rate, in particular target killings and extortion being the most serious felonies. The Court orders that all suspects, including Taliban, that had been released on parole while waiting for trial had to be rearrested immediately. The government of Sindh has been ordered to take immediate action against all armed groups in Karachi, including Taliban fighters hiding in this southern megapolis and take seriously notice of their presence.  Reports suggest that possibly six to seven thousand Taliban had entered the city. The president is following the Supreme Court's order on the "Karachi law and order case" advising the provincial law ministers to work on legislation for witness protection, including their families. One of the major obstacles in prosecuting criminals is the fear of revenge against the witnesses and their families.

Eid - commonly called the meat Eid - approaches. "If you like animals, stay at home!" is the well meaning advice by many locals and foreigners - I like animals, I staid at home. But after two years of staying behind doors during Eid preparations and celebrations I decide to tempt fate and go to the markets of sheep, goats and oxen that are herded to Islamabad from the country side. Each family is buying one of them for slaughter on Saturday, dividing it into three parts, one for family and friends, one for the poor and the last one for themselves. The special dishes served throughout the festivities are, of course, made of meat.

Wandering through the densely crowded but unagitated market, where proud farmers present their colorfully adorned beasts, my guard grabs me suddenly on my sleeve: "Don't go any further, you might get killed!" Jumping back and looking for cover, I wonder about the danger and am told that a cow might kill me - well, luckily, that's a danger I, as a simple Swiss girl, am perfectly capable to confront. My poor caring guard though continues trying to protect me from all sides at the same time. I am confident that he would do the same in case of even greater danger.

The beasts are praised and marketed under a new qualification system that shows immediately and clearly their value to everyone: There are Jaguar oxen, BMW cows and Honda sheep.
The animals to be sacrificed are loaded and transported home on pickups, on the back seat of passenger cars, on the lap of motorcyclists,...  happy smiles on the faces of the lucky buyers!

The "food court" in the market offers a variety of delicious meals and snacks to the all-male public, that sits on benches, cushions or on the ground, sipping tea and full of joyful anticipation of the approaching festivities.

The next day starts with an early prayer in the mosque for the men and then within the next couple of hours the slaughter takes place, butchers are being booked or they simply walk up and down the streets to offer their service.

A lamb is awaiting its turn at the home of a dear friend, who is amazed at my interest to attend and not so eager to witness herself. The butcher, a kind man and well trained proceeds with his work, I lower my camera and close firmly my eyes, to the amusement of the male family members. On my insistent inquiry they confess, that every one closed their eyes, having still to listen to the sound of the dying animal was enough to endure. There lies the lamb's head, its eyes covered with one of its long ears. My hostess to this ritual offers me a rack of the fresh lamb to go and smiles as I politely decline - the offer was obviously not a very serious one...

A variety of dishes to go with the meat are being offered to the many visitors, friends and family members. The day celebrates the sacrifice of Abraham and thus his test of faith - the altar in Christian churches but a reminder of the sacrifices that took place on them in ancient times.