Armed with a tin of nails, a hammer and dozens of twinkling strands of lights, I set out to decorate the house, similar in fashion to what most Westerners experience during the holiday season. My purpose however, was to adorn the house with lights for my sister’s upcoming nuptials.

Decorating the outside of the house is a popular custom in Pakistan and India. It is a way to signify to neighbors and friends that a joyous occasion is taking place. Putting lights up around the house enhances the feeling of festivity and lets everyone know that the celebrations have begun.

In the United States, this custom isn’t as widely practiced. While the interiors of homes are often lavishly decorated, most Pakistani or Indian Americans opt to not put up lights outside the home.

There could be a multitude of reasons as to why this practice isn’t as popular in the Western world. One of those reasons is that in Pakistan and India you can often hire a service that will elegantly decorate the house within various budgets. A service that is not so readily available in America. Another reason could be to avoid the questioning stares and confusion of neighbors. My own neighbor, while giving a quick hello, chuckled “isn’t it a little early to be putting up Christmas lights?”

In Pakistan, the custom of putting lights up around the house has dramatically decreased with the increase in the Taliban’s presence. The Taliban have declared many of the cultural aspects of the Pakistani wedding to be un-Islamic.

“We’re afraid that if we put the lights on, we were putting a giant X on our house like a target for militants to come cause trouble,” said Sara Khan, a recent bride, whose family chose not to decorate their home.

Last month, musicians performing at an Afghan wedding were beaten by Taliban fighters because they were taking place in un-Islamic activities. Fear has prompted many Pakistanis to not advertise their upcoming weddings or festivities.

For us in the Ghani household, however, the Pakistani way is the only way. So despite the 90 degree weather and the questioning looks from neighbors, I put up my Christmas lights in July to show our little neighborhood that our family was celebrating my sister’s wedding.