This Eid, a group of special guests in Pakistan will celebrate far from their loved ones—Palestinian children from Gaza who came to Pakistan for education but lost their families, homes, and livelihoods to the ongoing Israeli aggression.

These students shared their experiences on Aaj News’ show “Rubaroo”, where they spoke about how Eid celebrations in Gaza used to be before the war.

Eid traditions and Palestinian cuisine

Gazan student Salsabeel described how Eid and Ramadan in Gaza were unique. “We would celebrate by sharing meals with families, cooking traditional sweets, and spending time together,” she recalled.

She mentioned that Samaqia, a special dish, was always prepared on the first day of Eid. Another student added that Maqluba, a dish made with chicken, vegetables, and rice, was also common, along with Musakhan, Dura, and Sayadiyah, a fish dish cooked in an oven. Ka’ak, a dessert made of biscuits and dates, was a staple during Eid.

Another student shared that in Palestine, biryani is similar to the Pakistani version but with fewer spices. “Pakistani biryani is spicier,” she noted. Despite missing home, they try to recreate their traditional dishes in Pakistan, provided they find the right ingredients.

Warm welcome in Pakistan

Student Rasha expressed gratitude for the warm reception they received in Pakistan. “Al-Khidmat Foundation brought us from the airport to the hostel, and we were met with such overwhelming kindness that our exhaustion disappeared,” she said.

She had limited knowledge of Pakistan before arriving but knew it was a diverse country with cultural heritage and scenic beauty. “I didn’t expect Pakistani food to be this delicious,” she admitted. Student Ahmed shared that he tried qorma, biryani, pulao, and chicken karahi, with biryani becoming his favorite.

Life in Gaza before the war

A student recalled that even before the war, life in Gaza was not easy, but at least they felt safe with their families. “We had goals, we went to university, spent time with friends, and planned our futures,” she said.

She misses Gaza’s beaches the most. “We loved walking by the sea at night,” she reminisced. The historic Imam Ali Mosque and old markets were among Gaza’s special landmarks. “InshaAllah, one day we will return.”

Escaping Gaza and reaching Pakistan

The journey to Pakistan was difficult and expensive. “We first had to pay a huge amount to reach Egypt, and then an Al-Khidmat Foundation scholarship helped us travel to Pakistan,” the students explained.

They described the communication struggles with their families in Gaza due to bombings and network failures. “We constantly worry about their safety, not knowing if they are still alive.”

‘Education will bring back our homeland’

Ahmed emphasized that education is their only hope. “We must fight for our education because knowledge is the key to reclaiming our homeland,” he stated.

Another student, Uday, explained how he learned about scholarships while in Egypt. “A friend in medical school told me about it, and with Allah’s help, I reached out to Dr. Yousaf. Al-Khidmat supported me, and I made it to Pakistan.”

As they adjust to their new lives, these students carry the memories of Gaza with them, hoping for a future where they can return to their homeland.