Traffic trauma

With the sighting of the new moon in the middle of November (depending on which Mosque you follow) there follows Commotion, Contentment and CARS!

I speak of none other than the twice-yearly ritual of the car frenzy that will ensue in many areas.

What's the fuss some might say because the level of disruption caused pales into insignificance compared with an average weekend night in the city centre.

And not all Muslims head for their cars as soon as morning prayers are over.

It hasn't always been like this, the so-called 'Car culture' we've adopted only goes back about 12 years.

Before then it was either the train to Blackpool or the nearest town centre for a gander.

Sergeant John Rigby, of Blackburn Police, is on duty most Eids. He says "In the past six to seven years there has been a noticeable increase in motorised traffic visitors from out of town, causing local disruption.

"There were no major incidents last year, it's just the element of traffic that's the problem."

The sergeant was well informed - already quoting the dates of 14th to the16th November as possible Eid dates. And I was surprised to learn that it's the local community requesting police monitoring, so let's put that race card firmly back in the pocket.

As for Wilmslow Road, Greater Manchester police release a series of posters and pre-publicity informing revellers of the traffic controls in place throughout the day.

And what is it with the Pakistani flags? Do Indians not celebrate Eid and for that matter what about the Bengalis? It always seems to be the Proud Pakistanis who are constantly looking for an excuse to openly vent a display of patriotism to the country of their forefathers - even if it's just to promote the fact that Indians have never produced a world champion squash player!

The police find that when national symbols such as flags come into the equation then rivalry and animosity can begin to overtake a day of celebration, which is surely meant to be enjoyable for all - Muslim or non-Muslim.

A new problem that has come to the fore is drink; something that has always existed but now without shame. Drinking openly appears to be common place.

Swigging daroo or Sharaab (alcohol) from cans is not big and the furthest thing from clever.

So how and when did we go from a Datsun driving posse to a BMW convertible bling faction? With the young boys now taking on part time work in any local shop, not forgetting uncle's local grocery convenience store, the youth of today have more disposable income that's finding itself in fast cars - clearly not of their fathers school of thought, "Wasting good money on a car for one day, have you any idea how many rupees that is?"

We have three days of Eid spent by girls serving their culinary delights to aunts and uncles who only live a stones throw away.

They will always say 'Aseey kha kay aynay' (We have eaten before coming) before polishing off the last of the onion bhajis!"

The groups of boys have spent the last thirty days saving the pennies contributing to the money pot that will surely secure their place as hirers of the most 'wicked motor'.

The most outrageous of which would have to be the Hum - V, for a wedding of all things. My, my, was there really such animosity from the two factions that a military vehicle was required?

And whom exactly are these mean machines meant to impress anyway? It must be a male thing, girls seem aloof to this brash and blatant display of arrogance - seen most commonly in the animal kingdom! Peacock feathers and all that!

How the previous thirty days of pure humbleness and modesty are reduced to a day of hypocrisy where residents are held hostage.

On this day of celebration some compromise their values and behave like prize pakoras!

Given ways designed to reduce speeding on Whalley Range now bring the road to a complete stand still. A three-minute drive to your mate's house can take anything up to thirty minutes! I dread to think what would happen if an emergency vehicle needed to get through.

Are you taking out the thirty-day Kaser (deprevation) on the one-day, thus forgetting all lessons that were meant to have stuck a little better than the first couple of hours of Eid?

Surely this has now become one of the two days dad takes off work, mum enjoys all her offspring sharing in her karahi cuisine, you get a chance to touch base with all relatives who are normally too busy to visit.

When did the celebration of Eid become a showdown for rival gangs and out of townies?

You have demonstrated in the previous thirty days a clear and unwavering display of discipline, charity and humbleness only to jeopardise this for one day of lunacy.

For those boys who come from out of town thinking that their anonymity is bought by the fact they are strangers in our town, please remember to respect the needs of your fellow human beings, even you do think it's only a bit of fun.