Expatriates feel lonely in the light of memories of the moments before Eid
Eid means joy, celebration, new clothes, reunion with relatives. But the picture is very different for expatriates. In the stress of work abroad, the preparation of Eid should become a kind of emotional memory in a busy life.
How do expatriates spend the day before Eid? You have to go to the office or workplace in the morning, because Eid is not a public holiday in most of the countries. Eid preparations have to be done in the midst of busyness from morning till night. Those who have a little opportunity, they do their own Eid shopping. But it is no longer the joy of that childhood Eid bazaar. The feeling of going to the market with the whole family, buying new clothes, going to the sweet shop holding father's hand, is not here.
Talking to loved ones in the country on the night before Eid becomes an emotional chapter. There is nothing to do but listen to that familiar call in the mother's voice, "Dad, go early for namaz tomorrow morning, I am cooking your favorite semai," these words. The laughter of siblings, the chatter of friends—everything comes back to the pages of memory. Many connect with family through video calls during this time, trying to fill the void to some extent.
The night before Eid, if Mane was in the country, the house would be filled with the smell of semai, pies, biryani. But abroad? Maybe you have to find the joy of Eid with a cup of tea and some store-bought sweets. Many people cook in their own way, trying to bring back that old taste. In some Bangladeshi-dominated areas, the night before Eid is celebrated by gathering with friends to cook and tell stories. This is their Eid preparation.
The most difficult thing is that no one is busy to return home after Eid prayers. When in the country, greeting parents with a sweet face after praying, going to relatives' house - these were familiar scenes. But after the Eid prayers in the diaspora, go back to work like everyone else. Some spend some time together, but nothing fills the family void.
The night before Eid means a mixed feeling of family, friends and joy. But expatriates spend the moments before Eid struggling with a kind of emptiness and loneliness. Even in the shining city of foreign lights, a strange loneliness surrounds. The mind falls in the village of a distant country, in the city, where the mother may be crying alone on the morning of Eid without her son, the father is sitting quietly, the siblings may be waiting for their brother wearing Eid clothes.
But in the midst of all the hardships, there are moments of joy. Many people try to spend time with friends, eat and drink together, even if they don't get a day off on Eid, at least take some time out to enjoy themselves. Due to the welfare of social media, Eid greetings are exchanged with family members through video calls, the distance is reduced to some extent.
For the expatriates, Eid means the release of deep memories. The sweet morning of the country's Eid, the happy moments, the love of relatives - everything should remain in the pages of memory. But still in the urge of life, for the future of the family, they carry this suffering with a smile. The night before Eid of the expatriates therefore carries a story of joy on the one hand, and an imperfection on the other.
The Joy of Welcoming Eid al-Fitr, I am very happy to welcome or celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year, as a child of migrants who has not been able to return to his hometown for a long time Gathering with family Eid al-Fitr is a moment to gather with family and strengthen ties. Eating with family on Eid al-Fitr is an unforgettable pleasure. Sharing stories and experiences with family is a pleasure that can strengthen ties.