Local traditions and culture in Islamabad

4 more images

Yes, Pakistan has a number of trained dancing monkeys. The do stupid pet tricks like pushups, "riding a motocycle," a military salute, and other simple tricks. When they do a few tricks, they put a tin cup on their head and request "baksheesh."

Crazy place.

4 more images

During my last visit to Pakistan I was in the Islamabad Airport while a "Hajj Flight" was getting ready to depart. It was a very interesting event with several hundred older Pakistanis, mostly men, dressed in pure white, all washing, praying, and reading the Koran prior to boarding their flight. They wore two distinct forms of dress, white shalwar kameez with a white prayer cap for some, while most wore the "ihram." The ihram is basically what Gandhi was famous for wearing, two plain white sheets and sandals. The ihram symbolizes the equality of Muslims in the eyes of Allah.

The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, an annual event for Muslims around the world. One of the "five pillars of Islam," the Hajj is a requirement for all Muslims at least once in their lives.

4 more images

During Ramadan Muslims do not eat during hours of daylight. The meal at the end of the day is called Iftar, and it is often a big community event. The traditional food at the end of the day's fast is dates, but the meal itself consists of sweets and lots of meat.

While I stayed at the Marriott, most of the restaurants were closed until sunset during Ramadan, but most of them eventually opened for dinner. As we waited to eat, the hotel prepared Iftar dinner for guests of the hotel. The cooking for Iftar took hours, and it seemed like all of the local Muslims poured in for the meal. Since the locals had the hotel's Iftar dinner in the Marquee, the restaurants were mostly empty other than a few Westerners.

1 more image

In many hotels you might notice a sign pointed off in an odd angle that reads "Qibla" or "Qiblah." This sign points to Meccah, and it allows Muslims to know in which direction to pray. The first Qiblah was in Jerusalem, but since 622, the Qiblah has pointed to the Kaaba in Mecca. The Qiblah is not worshiped, rather it is a focal point for all those who are praying and is a symbol of the unity of Muslims.