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Foreign students lament Eid away from home

LAHORE: Foreign students studying at different educational institutions in the city will celebrate Eidul Azha here and organise gatherings at their hostels. The students said they could not visit their respective countries to celebrate Eid due to travel issue and would miss their families. A large number of students from across the world, including Muslims and non-Muslims, are enrolled in various public and private institutions of the city. These students have come from different countries, including Nepal, Iran, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, Somalia and Nigeria. Abdul Kalam, a student from Nepal studying at the Punjab University, said the Nepalese celebrated Eid just like the Pakistanis did. He said he would miss his family this year, adding he had arranged a party with his Nepali friends on Eid day. Mitra, a Nepalese Hindu student at the Fatima Jinnah Medical College, said a large number of foreign students were residing at the college’s hostel and they usually held parties on such events. She said along with other girls here, she would cook special dishes on Eid and go to parks to celebrate the occasion. Jama Ahmed, a Somali student at UET, said Eid is a religious occasion when people shared happiness. He said he would definitely miss his family this Eid, adding he considered the Pakistanis his family and would join them to celebrate the event. Anouj, a Buddhist from Sri Lanka at UET, said he had purchased a new dress to celebrate Eid with his Muslim brothers. Zahra Lutfifer, an Iranian student at PU, said it was difficult to go home for Eid due to travel issues. Punjab University Hall Council Chairman Dr Akhtar said the varsity administration organised special ceremonies on Eid for foreign students and cooked special food for them. He said around 50 male and 15 female foreign students were residing in the university’s hostels and the administration took good care of them on religious occasions. adnan lodhi

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