In a repeat performance of last year, Eid-ul-Fitr has come at a time when Pakistan is tackling another wave of the pandemic, thus another ‘locked-down’ set of festivities. A curtain of sobriety hangs over us, in solidarity with those affected by the life-threatening virus, but at the same time, the religious and auspicious occasion of Eid brings with it a hope and reassurance of life and better, happier times. We don’t expect (hopefully) elaborate events and outpourings of grand festivities on social media, but we do anticipate messages of responsible celebration from our influencers.

What does Eid look like for our favourite celebs this year as they go for that understated affair?

Instep reveals…

George Fulton

I plan to celebrate Eid at home in lockdown, armed with board games, Netflix and Kheer Puri to survive the isolation. Pakistan only needs to look at India to see what happens if we congregate over the Eid holidays. We only have had 2 million people vaccinated in the country. We have a long way to go before we’re back to business as usual. Not much fun, but difficult times call for some sacrifice.

Durre Fishan

Eid this year will be with family and a lot of homemade good food! Tons of sheer khorma and strictly without any social
interaction.

Hira Tareen

I think regardless of the pandemic, most Eids in our family have been understated in the sense that we focus on the time spent together as opposed to going overboard with too many extravagant preps. As a family, we feel it’s a special occasion to relax and cherish the time we have with our loved ones and instead go all out for the ones truly in need. Also, it’s a good day to reconnect and let friends know that you’re thinking of them even though you haven’t seen them for months or years. So this year there will definitely be a lot more Zoom/WhatsApp calls than the Eids before because a lot of our family and friends are in different cities and countries at the moment.

Aijaz Aslam

This Eid seems just like the last one; mostly indoors with the family. It’s best to stay at home and do some activities. I don’t have any plans of going out visiting friends, it’s best for us and everyone else.

Rabia Butt

Eid is all about family. Spending the day with family is what I believe in and have been doing since forever. When we fast, Eid is a gift from Allah if you can afford to wear good dresses do wear it. We should make sure to share happiness in our surroundings, with someone who will not give you anything in return. As this act is very dear to Allah.

Eshal Fayyaz

Eid is a time for festivities & celebrations, however, we are in the middle of a pandemic so we must be mindful of how we celebrate this time around. I will be celebrating Eid with my family, spending quality time with those that are close to my heart, as I believe that health, happiness and safety comes first. Eid Mubarak everyone!

Zhalay Sarhadi

I shall be at home with my immediate family. Cooking and feeding everyone. I plan to keep it understated and mostly home. This is the time to be protected and protective of others, so no big gatherings or get-togethers are in the plan. Eid is generally with the family and this time even more so. Also, with the dire situation due to this pandemic around the world, minimalist celebrations seem to be the most appropriate. I don’t have the heart to be in the festive mood. Prayers for a healthier safer world.

Armeena Rana Khan

This Eid will be a muted affair for me in light of global events and because I will not be around my family to ce­lebrate it. Also, I have recently lost a family member and a few friends to COVID-19 so it will be small and understated with just my husband and mum-in-law. In the U.K, we are still under partial lockdown, which means that we are not allowed to visit each other’s homes until Government guidance says otherwise. On another note, what this whole pandemic has made me realize is this: Every day is a gift, so spend it wisely and cherish every moment spent with your loved ones as you never know when you might be saying your last farewell.

Ayesha Toor

I will be eating a lot! I plan to definitely keep it understated but I do want Eidi. Best way is to be spending it with family, which indeed is a simple affair, like always.

Maryam Nafees

This Eid is going to be special as I’ve just started my journey with a special someone so it will be all about family and keeping it understated. Aren’t those the best anyways?

Sidra Niazi

Due to the pandemic, this Eid will not be the same. Will be spending time at home with family. People are suffering; there are too many losses both physical and financial so we should have empathy towards others and keep it as simple as possible.

Sabeena Syed

I’ve actually planned to celebrate this Eid entirely in the “digital realm” - to avoid as much in-person contact as possible, considering the current circumstances with the pandemic. I am sure it’ll still be as much fun to dress up at home and post some OOTD pictures. Personally, I feel it would be very wholesome to spend it at home with family, definitely a simple affair - but totally worth it. We have to be responsible this year to avoid any mishaps with the spread of the virus.

Danial Afzal Khan

I plan to celebrate it by staying home and spending time with family, which to me is the biggest celebration and my happy time. I will pray that the world comes back to normal, where we won’t have to think about these precautions and safety measures and we’ll be free like we always were. Yes, it’s the biggest Islamic festivity, but our religion strictly forbids us from any self-harming activity and right now any crowded celebration risks that so it will be as simple as it gets.

Kubra Khan

I am blessed enough to have my mother in town for Eid this year. That is Eid for me, in itself. We’ll be dressing up and making food like usual, but celebrating it with family and friends on FaceTime back home in London and here in Pakistan.

Amar Khan

We’re looming towards severity with the new strain and rising COVID-19 cases. We’re going through the worst phase of the pandemic, so it goes without saying that I really don’t feel like celebrating Eid. The best is to stay home and spend time with family. A better way to be grateful for all we have is to cook a good meal and keep it a simpler affair.

Rabya Kulsoom

As always I plan to spend it with my family and get lots of Eidi from my elders and also give to younger ones. For me, it’s always a simple affair and this year again will try to maintain social distance like last year and refrain from visiting. Also, I request everyone to please follow SOP’s and try and stay home.

Faizan Sheikh

I will spend Eid at home making sure we are not meeting a lot of people to ensure the safety of my family. All SOPs will be followed within the small family meet up. We all must act responsibly. It is our duty to make sure we keep it low key this time around. Say no to crowded Eid Milans.

Anoushay Abbasi

I’m sure you all know about the spike in COVID-19 cases and so I’m going to be spending it at home with my loved ones, where everyone is safe and sound! It should definitely be kept low-key with everything that is going on, we should really be more responsible and careful. It’ll definitely be a simple affair, nothing too crazy. Big family celebrations are a huge no for me this year; I’ll be avoiding those for sure.

Wahaj Ali

I plan on spending my time at home. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s best to spend Eid at home with family. Family celebrations are out of the question! I’m not going to be risking it at all and so it’ll be a small and simple affair where I’m going to be relaxing and enjoying my time with my family.

Junaid Khan

The plan is to spend Eid with my family in a simple way. Keeping the COVID situation in mind, the fewer people we meet, the better. Even within the family, we need to stay careful because there are elders and kids. So just like last year, I plan to spend Eid the same way and I think we’ll be spending the next few Eids like this too. We should get used to this if we want our family and loved ones’ safety. We will spend these festivities with simplicity, and even while doing so, we will keep all SOP’s in mind.

Aymen Saleem

Even though the spirit to celebrate Eid this year is the same, the festivities however won’t be the same due to the pandemic. I would continue to practice social distancing, relax a bit but I won’t be coming easy on the Sheer Khurma!

Adnan Siddiqui

Eid this year, much like last, would be an intimate family affair. Am keeping the celebrations very muted because of the pandemic. One has to also respect what has happened across the borders. Families have been destroyed and there’s been so much death and destruction. It doesn’t befit us to rejoice and have fun while the neighbourhood is burning. We need to respect their sentiments. It is going to be a very simple affair - home-cooked food and immediate family.

Ramsha Khan

I plan on spending Eid with my sister and Bella (my dog). Just going to get all dressed up with nowhere to go! It’s so important to follow SOPs right now and avoid huge gatherings. We need to take responsibility and play our part so that we can get back to normal life as soon as possible

Rabab Hashim

I am planning to spend it with close family only this year. Really looking forward to having something to celebrate with our loved ones in an otherwise difficult year. We have had a tough year, but the worst isn’t over yet. I think the responsible thing to do right now is to keep ourselves and all around us safe! Eid is always a family affair for us. We do an Eid breakfast with close family and dinner. So sticking to those rituals with just the immediate family.

Osama Tahir

Last year was a bummer, so this year I’ll celebrate but only with my immediate family. I know it’s hard, it is for me too, but we have to keep our distances for the sake of our loved ones. Eid Mubarak everyone and I wish you the best siwayan ever!

Mansha Pasha &

Jibran Nasir

We have been monitoring our own personal interactions as per the rate of COVID escalation. Alhamdulillah Pakistan is still yet saved from a deadly third wave but seeing what is happening in India, one cannot be too careful. So we have as a result reevaluated all our interactions keeping them to a bare necessity. We shall do the same at Eid inshallah which will be celebrated at home with immediate family members only.

Ushna Shah

This Eid-ul-Fitr, I will be with family and keep all affairs understated. The idea is to just be grateful and celebrate the end of Ramzan and the occasion of Eid with close ones and staying safe.

Ali Safina

This Eid is going to be the 3rd Eid since the pandemic started. Just like the past two Eids, we will be spending it at home with family. The good thing is that half of the family has gotten their vaccinations and the rest are in process. Eid is supposed to be family. A special prayer for those families who have lost their loved ones. Also, giving someone a call on Eid and sending gifts and flowers will be a good way to brighten up someone’s day.

Farhan Saeed

"This Eid will be spent with caution and care. Keeping it simple with close family, I urge everyone to be responsible. Let’s do our part to beat the virus.”

Hajra Yamin

The tricky times we’re living in call for all of us to be careful and responsible for our own selves and the people around us. Eid has always been a very private family affair for me so like always it will be kept small and simple.