Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are universally celebrated by Muslims as joyous occasions marking the end of Ramadan and the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, respectively. These holidays are characterized by communal prayers, festive meals, and gatherings with family and friends. However, for the Baloch people, these celebrations often take a back seat to the harsh reality of their everyday lives. The Baloch families, particularly those in Pakistan, find little reason to celebrate as they continue to grapple with deep-seated grief and unresolved anguish.
The Plight of the Baloch People
The Baloch people, an ethnic group primarily residing in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, have long faced political, economic, and social marginalization. In Pakistan, Balochistan has been a focal point of conflict due to its rich natural resources and strategic location. This has resulted in a history of military operations, enforced disappearances, and human rights abuses.
The Balochistan conflict has left countless families in a state of perpetual mourning. Enforced disappearances, where individuals are abducted by state or state-supported actors without any legal process, have become a grim hallmark of life in Balochistan. Human rights organizations estimate that thousands of Baloch activists, students, journalists, and ordinary citizens have been forcibly disappeared over the years. These disappearances leave families in a tormenting limbo, unsure if their loved ones are dead or alive.
Eid without Celebration
For many Baloch families, Eid is a stark reminder of their lost loved ones. Instead of engaging in joyous festivities, these families often find themselves visiting graves or holding silent vigils. The absence of sons, daughters, fathers, and brothers turns the otherwise festive atmosphere into one of sorrow and remembrance.
"I haven't celebrated Eid in years," says Mariam Baloch, whose son went missing three years ago. "Every Eid, we hope he will come back, but all we get is silence. How can we celebrate when we don't even know if he's alive?"
The psychological toll of this uncertainty is immense. The traditional Eid practices of giving and receiving gifts, wearing new clothes, and sharing special meals feel hollow when there's an empty seat at the table. For many, the pain of not knowing the fate of their loved ones overshadows any potential joy the holiday might bring.
