Doha: Eid celebrations are traditionally known for friends and relatives visiting each other to exchange greetings.
Eid Al Adha, or the ‘festival of sacrifice’, is one of those rare festivals where personal visits are unavoidable as people have to distribute meat of the slaughtered animals among neighbours, relatives and people in need.
The people-to-people interaction has now reduced and is being replaced with text messages and e-greetings — a trend that is surprisingly welcomed by many in Qatar.
It is not possible to visit friends and family members at the same time anymore, which is why text messaging is the best option, says Yasir Ahmed, a Qatari national.
“I send messages to hundreds of people on Eid. It saves me time and makes it easier for me to keep in touch with a large group of people. It doesn’t even cost much,’ Ahmed said, adding that he feels it is important to visit the elders of the family personally.
He said that when he receives messages from people from different countries, he feels particularly happy.
Ahmed believes there is no reason to look down on people who prefer technology to greet near and dear ones during Eid because it is simply more convenient.
Hanya Zia, a university student, calls platforms such as Facebook and Twitter the ‘languages of this era’, which is the best way to keep connected.
The elders, meanwhile, are very critical of this rage with mobile phones and say it is simply not enough to communicate on mobile phones or Internet on occasions that come once every year. “For me, it is not enough to call someone on mobile phone and wish them. I have to see all my relatives personally on Eid because this is the only chance I get to see them and then eat together,” Umm Abdul Aziz, a Qatari, said. She added that the greetings that are sent through mobile phones and Internet are not even original, and lack a personal touch.
“Eid means that we get-together with friends and ask forgiveness,” said Umm Abdul Aziz.
Another youngster argued sending video messages, pictures and jokes through mobile phones and Internet is a more ‘fun’ way of wishing people on Eid.
The Peninsula
