Let Humanity, Not Budgets, Be the Message of Eid

Eid means joy, happiness, and spending beautiful moments with family and friends. Regardless of religion or background, this festival strengthens the bonds of love and empathy among everyone. But recently, some content from the media or social media creators regarding Eid shopping is creating uncomfortable situations amidst this pure joy.​Standing in front of shopping malls or on the streets, many shove microphones toward ordinary people and ask, "What is your Eid budget this time?" Those who can afford it often respond with humor. They proudly share stories of their luxurious shopping, branded clothes, or expensive gadgets. While this might be mere entertainment for many, it is downright uncomfortable for the people with limited incomes or the middle class standing right next to them.​Many cannot smile in front of the camera and remain silent with their heads bowed. A shadow of despair falls over some eyes, while others vainly try to hold back their tears. For those constantly fighting the battles of life, Eid shopping simply means trying to bring a little smile to their children's faces after a lot of careful calculation. Highlighting someone else's massive budget in front of them and asking comparative questions is nothing short of mental trauma.​It is natural to ask if there is really any need to know how much money a person will spend or what they will buy. This is a completely personal matter. It is unfair to measure someone's social standing or joy by their financial capacity. Currently, the middle class is already overwhelmed by inflation and various economic pressures. Managing household expenses while buying new clothes for Eid or arranging slightly better food is a massive struggle for many. Poking at them about budgets amidst this struggle only makes their pain more visible.​The awkward situations do not end there. Some media personnel directly ask, "What did you buy for your boyfriend or girlfriend?" or "What gifts did you receive?" In our social context, talking publicly about personal relationships on the streets is still uncomfortable for many. Standing young people up in public and asking such questions is not only indecent but also entirely out of line with basic journalistic ethics.​The main responsibility of the media is to reflect the true picture of society and show respect for human emotions. Publicly embarrassing someone by questioning their personal life or financial status just for cheap popularity or views can never be acceptable. Instead, highlighting societal inconsistencies and bringing forward human stories is the mark of true journalism.​We need to remember that the joy of Eid is equal for everyone. Spending more money does not increase the joy, and spending less does not dim it. The real beauty of Eid lies in sharing love with dear ones according to one's capacity. The excitement a child feels over a simple outfit bought by their father is no less than the thrill of any expensive brand.​Therefore, to make the joy of the festival accessible and beautiful for everyone, media personnel need to be more sensitive. The joy of those who could not buy new clothes this Eid should be valued equally. Let love and humanity, not budgets or personal lives, be the main message of our festival.