It's that time of the year again: Eidul Fitr. For many of us this will mean our Rooh Afza bottles will gather dust until next Ramadan and the smells of samosa, pakora and jalebi will be all too infrequent in the ensuing months. Our fitness and nutrition goals, understandably put on hold, will have to endure a prolonged hiatus as we indulge in Eid festivities.

For Muslims in the diaspora, Eid is just as much of a joyous occasion as for those back home; unless you have midterm exams or didn’t even realise it was Ramadan already. Much like in Pakistan, here too people meet with friends and relatives, throw huge dinners where pot-bellied uncles try to out-brag each other based on their kids’ achievements. Those who still don’t feel like its Eid have a variety of melas and concerts to choose from, which, upon visiting, will magically create a more homely atmosphere.

This year, the Muslim community in Toronto was set to have quite a bash. After all, mummy and daddy didn't have to go back to work after Eid namaz nor did uncles and aunties get a convenient excuse for denying kids their Eidi. Yes, indeed, Eid coincided with the holiest of holy’s: the North American weekend. Eid may be celebrated on Monday in Pakistan, but here church bells and azaans united to make for a divine cacophony in the wee hours of Sunday morning, awakening unassuming sinners from their drunken stupors from the previous night out.

That previous night out happened to be our beloved Chaand Raat. Henna tattoos - or perhaps real ones, you can never really tell these days - were brandished about as families and couples mingled to the backdrop of a blaring Vital Signs number.  The usual shenanigans that run in conjunction with Eid festivities graced Gerrard street in Toronto, Jackson Heights in New York, Edison in New Jersey as well as other distinguished spots all across the continent.

One event worth noting took place in Queens, New York. Apparently the US Open isn’t the last extravaganza taking place in Flushing. The chaand raat to remember was extensively advertised, though it didn't offer much different from other events of a similar nature: desi food, desi music, desi clothes, desi DJs, desi singers, desi dancers, desi fashion show, chooris, mehndi, jewelry, raffles and so on and so forth. Basically anything and everything associated with being desi under the sun made an appearance, which obviously opens the door for butter ‘impostor’ chicken. Although to be fair to the dish, it may have been concocted by our gora compatriots, but it remains part of the North American desi staple.

Another fused item under scrutiny is the mysteriously named mango lassi. For those who have never ventured to this part of the world, the concept may be slightly alien, but any Eid in North America is incomplete without a swig of this drink - I take no responsibility for any subsequent bowel movements. No, it is not a mango shake, nor does it taste anything like regular lassi, but it maintains the sly quality of inducing sleep.

As for the Eid Namaz itself, there were large congregations all over the continent. The most prominent in Toronto took place at Rogers Center, the announcement of which came as a welcome relief to most. A couple of Eids ago, the Toronto Muslim community was invited to say their Eid prayers at one of the halls at an exhibition place. As usual, a mela was organised at the same location for after the prayers finished. Now there was nothing wrong with the arrangement, except for the fact that another event taking place simultaneously in the hall opposite the Eid mela. Some may have found it convenient, but most others still had their Ramadan wits about them and failed be amused at the proximity of the annual porn festival. It was quite a spectacle watching some burka-clad aunties entering the wrong hall – true story!

The usual post-Eid concerts and get-togethers will soon take centre stage, allowing for an influx of little-known Pakistani ‘stars’ to bolster their retirement funds. To be fair, some of the bigger cities do manage to attract more recognisable talent as was demonstrated in Brooklyn last year when Jawad Ahmed showed up.

All in all, fun times for Muslims - and even more so for phone companies as expats call home to wish their loved ones Eid Mubarak. Tis being the Eid season, and seeing as everyone is in a generous mood (despite the recession), I'll now humbly request my readers to refrain from sending virtual gifts. Only cash counts as real Eidi, everything else is a tease.

Alas, I only accept wire transfers.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.