Festivals in Pakistan

Shab-e-Barat :

It is a religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. Eventually, it happens to be just 15 days ahead of Ramadan, the holiest period of Islamic faith. The night of Shab-e-Barat symbolizes a night of forgiveness. During this time people usually pray to God in preparation of the holy Ramadan and also for forgiving all their previous sins.
The festival of Shab-e-Barat is celebrated by Muslims all over the world with a great deal of enthusiasm. However, this festival is known to be among the more popular festivals that are celebrated in Pakistan. The festival of Shab-e-Barat is renowned for its famous celebrations. This festival is essentially celebrated in night; the sky gets brightened as a result of dazzling fireworks. Houses and streets are also enlightened by candles and electric bulbs. Various types of sweets and other desserts are distributed at random in the night, and also sent to friends and relatives. Some persons are also known to spend their time in charity works during this time.
A very popular Islamic belief is that if someone prays to Allah (God) all through the night of this festival, he might be forgiven for all his sins. Some people also visit the mosques to offer prayer and practice meditation. Even, some Muslims are known to offer the optional Namaz during the late hours.

Eid-ul-Fitr :

This religious festival is celebrated on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar. Eid-ul-Fitr starts the day after Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting) ends, and is verified by the sighting of the new moon. It is a joyous occasion with important religious significance. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting but also thank God for the self control and strength that Muslims believe God gave them. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.
Eid-ul-Fitr is called "The Lesser Eid” compared to the Eid-ul-Adha is called "The Greater Eid”. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon .Worshippers greet and embrace each other with hugs in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer.After the special prayers festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.

Eid-ul-Adha:

This religious festival celebrated on 10th of Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar by Muslims as a commemoration of Ibrahim s (Abraham s) willingness to sacrifice his son as was commanded by Allah. It is one of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims whose basis comes from the Quran. Like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon.
Eid-ul-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid-ul-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.