Unnecessary Expenses in Feasts

 Written by: Samira Haleemzai

Most Afghans are hospitable. They invite friends and relatives to their homes and make parties and feasts. Some of them spend more money on such parties that sometimes cause some problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about this issue.

Raihana, a resident of Maidan-Wardak province says, “Once we had to invite the family and relatives of my brother’s wife. My mother prepared a long list of needed items to be prepared for the feast. As our economic condition is not good, my father wanted my mother to reduce some items on the list but my mother wanted him to borrow some money and prepare what she wants. This issue caused resentment between my parents and my father borrowed some money and spent it on the feast and he was not able to pay it back.”

Muhammad Tariq Kakar, a resident of Qarabgh district, Kabul province says, “Some days back, we had invited our new relatives. We had 10 thousand Afghanis at home and we borrowed 5000 Afghanis from our neighbor.”

What do some people think about the causes of such issues?
The cause that my mother wanted to consume more in the feast was the competition among our relatives and neighbors. My mother thought that if our relatives spend one Afghani in a feast, we should spend two Afghanis.”

Qudratullah Sultanzoi, a resident of Paktia province says, “I usually invite my friends and I spend more money in such feasts. This issue originated from the competition among families, friends and relatives.”

How do some people find the solution to this issue?

Wali Khan, a resident of Laghman province says, “It was my habit to spend more in feasts. I was always preparing varieties of foods for an ordinary feast and after the feast, more foods were getting spoiled. Then I decided to reduce the expenses in feasts. I have some guests some days before. My mother gave me a long list of items to prepare for the feast. I convinced her that I have 13000 Afghanis monthly salary and if I spend 6000 Afghanis for a single feast, then how could we fulfill our needs for the whole month.”

Sayed Hashim Amin, a professor of Sharia at Ustad Burhanuddin Rabani Educational University in Kabul city says, “Almighty Allah orders us to eat and drink and do not be extravagant, for Allah does not love the extravagant….”