Eid is one of the two major celebrations in the Islamic calendar, closely linked to Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by millions of Muslims. While Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of a month of fasting, Eid-al-Adha is rooted in the Abrahamic tradition. In this story, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, and as Abraham prepared to do so, God mercifully replaced the son with a ram. Muslims commemorate this spirit of sacrifice and obedience to God with a three-day observance that involves the ritual slaughter of animals—typically cows, goats, sheep, and camels—with the meat distributed among family, friends, and the poor.
In the week leading up to the sacrifice, Karachi transforms into a lively carnival. Streets and alleys are filled with animals brought from makeshift cattle markets. Known as 'the city that never sleeps,' Karachi truly lives up to its reputation, especially with children, who become excited as they take pride in caring for their animals. People travel across the city to view the most expensive and prized animals, which are often 'displayed' rather than kept solely for the religious act.
Naik was commissioned by Roads & Kingdoms to capture the vibrant streets of his hometown, Karachi, during this period to visually support an upcoming piece on Eid-ul-Adha.
Read more at Roads and Kingdoms
