Feature: Afghans prepare to celebrate Eidul Fitr

Markets in conflict-ridden Afghanistan are hustling and busling nowadays as the faithful fasting Muslims are preparing to celebrate Eidul Fitr or the end of Ramadan, the Muslims'fasting month, probably falling on Friday depending on the moon. "My shop is open from 08:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and sometimes until midnight," Ghulam Sediq, a shopkeeper, told Xinhua in Kabul' s old market recently. Sediq, 41, who is selling dry fruit, said that the clients nowadays prefer to buy almonds, pistachios and raisins to welcome their guests on Eid days.

He also added that he offers local and imported products including Afghan and Iranian pistachios as well as almonds.

Eidul Fitr, which is the second largest annual religious festival after Eidul Adha, is marked at the end of Ramadan by a three-day public holidays across the strife-torn country.

Days before Eidul Fitr, the faithful Afghan families begin preparations to celebrate Eid by shopping for new clothes for family members, especially for children, and buying a variety of confectionary and fruits to welcome guests during Eid.

Eid holidays are all about respecting the Eid culture, and those harboring negative feelings or have had arguments with their neighbors, for example, will visit and reconcile the situation. For this reason, religious scholars, as well as the government implored the Taliban militants to exercise restraint and observe a cease-fire, at a bare minimum, during Ramadan and Eid.

Ramadan or Muslims'fasting month lasts for 28, 29 or sometimes 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Observing the fast is obligatory for all adult Muslims including both men and women and those observing the fast do not eat between dawn and dusk.

Nonetheless, all Muslims including children and elderly people enjoy Eid holidays by visiting friends, relatives and arranging parties and recreational activities.

The state-run and private television channels, by airing special programs, particularly music and comedy shows, help people enjoy life during the three-day Eid holidays. Cinemas show local and foreign films mostly from Bollywood and Hollywood. "Since the Eidul Fitr is getting closer, the markets are crowded with people," another shopkeeper Ahsan Jan told Xinhua. "We are three brothers but all of us are busy from the morning to mid night to serve our customers," Ahsan who runs a food and confectionery shop told Xinhua.

However, Ramadan has been marred by Taliban-led militancy in Afghanistan, in spite of requests by the government and religious leaders.

Taliban militants who ignored the calls for a cease-fire during Ramadan have been relentlessly fighting the government forces in different provinces. According to Afghans, they won't halt their violence on Eid days.

The Taliban's elusive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in a message released in the advent of Eidul Fitr and posted on the armed outfit's website on Wednesday besides gave the nod to the peace process with the government. Omar also called for a Jihad or holy war until Islamic rule governs the country. "I have already completed my preparation to celebrate Eidul Fitr and I am hoping to have peaceful days during Eid holidays," a taxi driver Hamidullah, 57 told Xinhua, adding that he was also still anxious about the Taliban. Endi