Gulf Today

Eid Al Fitr celebratio­ns begin in the UAE tomorrow

As the Holy Month draws to a close on Sunday, the festive mood can be witnessed in every nook and corner of the country

- Tanvir Usman/ WAM

ABU DHABI: The moon sighting commitee said that the crescent was not sighted in the UAE on Saturday.

The authoritie­s said that May 1 will be the last day of the Ramadan. May 2 will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, and Chairman of the Commitee, said the commitee, ater exhausting the sharia methods of sighting the crescent and making the necessary contacts with neighbouri­ng countries, could not sight the Shawwal month crescent on Saturday evening, and therefore declares that Sunday, amay 1, is the last day of Ramadan 1443, and that Monday, the May 2, is the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

The minister and members of the commitee extended warm congratula­tions on the glorious occasion to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes.

They wished the president good health and wellbeing. They also congratula­ted the UAE people and Muslims across the world on the auspicious occasion.

Ater accumulati­ng the virtues of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the faithful in the UAE are geared up to celebrate Eid Al Fitr with religious ardour, thanks to the authoritie­s for effectivel­y curbing the coronaviru­s which led to easing of the restrictio­ns.

The festive mood can be witnessed in every nook and corner of the country, which is home to more than 200 nationalit­ies.

Expatriate­s belonging to different walks of life have always been an integral part of the festivitie­s and this time too they are celebratin­g Eid with traditiona­l and religious zeal.

Some of the expats shared their thoughts and Eid holiday plans with Gulf Today.

Syed Abdul Qader, Sales Director at Infoserve Technologi­es, said, “Eid is a very special event for our family. Being born and brought up in Dubai but originally from Pakistan, I am very lucky to have most of my family setled here. During Eid Al Fitr, we decorate and light up our house. We all get together on lunch and have a big feast.

“My brother, sister, aunts, uncles and the kids come along together for a big gathering, sharing gits and delicious home-cooked food. The remaining Eid days are spent visiting extended family and exchanging sweets. We also make sure the kids value Eid by rememberin­g the needy, distributi­ng food and giving charity.”

Ater accumulati­ng the virtues of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the faithful in the UAE are geared up to celebrate Eid Al Fitr with religious ardour, thanks to the authoritie­s for effectivel­y curbing the coronaviru­s which led to easing of the restrictio­ns.

As the Holy Month draws to a close on Sunday, the festive mood can be witnessed in every nook and corner of the country, which is home to more than 200 nationalit­ies.

Expatriate­s belonging to different walks of life have always been an integral part of the festivitie­s and this time too they are celebratin­g Eid with traditiona­l and religious zeal.

Some of the expats shared their thoughts and Eid holiday plans with Gulf Today.

Syed Abdul Qader, Sales Director at Infoserve Technologi­es, said, “Eid is a very special event for our family. Being born and brought up in Dubai but originally from Pakistan, I am very lucky to have most of my family setled here. During Eid Al Fitr, we decorate and light up our house. We all get together on lunch and have a big feast.

“My brother, sister, aunts, uncles and the kids come along together for a big gathering, sharing gits and delicious home-cooked food. The remaining Eid days are spent visiting extended family and exchanging sweets. We also make sure the kids value Eid by rememberin­g the needy, distributi­ng food and giving charity.”

Muhammad Mudassar Aziz, who works for a real estate firm in the UAE, said, “Eid is celebrated with much enthusiasm which is a git from Allah Almighty, a reward for our patience, reflection and fasting in Ramadan. So, whilst we are preparing ourselves for Eid this year, let’s spare a thought for those who are in need.

“Let’s get together, do something nice for our fellow Muslims, and give them the opportunit­y to smile and enjoy this Eid with us. Let’s follow the Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH) and share the Eid Al Fitr joys with those who are waiting for our help.”

Noor Danish Ahmad, a resident of Oud Metha in Dubai said, “Dubai is home away from home. Being a Pakistani, we never missed our Eid back home, as it is so lively and colourful here.

“All nationalit­ies come as one and celebrate the bounty given to us in the end of Ramadan in the form of Eid. Ethnic wear, colourful bangles, endless rounds of scrumptiou­s food, what a blessing to be in this part of the world where we don’t feel let out.”

Najam Saqib, a businessma­n residing in Dubai, said: “Eid holidays are a great opportunit­y to spend quality time with family. In working days, it is really hard to spare time for my kids, so we will surely make the most of these holidays. Friends gathering, park visit and dining out are among the activities we have planned so far.”

“Ramadan teaches us to feel the pain of the underprivi­leged, the pain of those who don’t have enough resources to feed themselves and their loved ones. As we celebrate these joyous moments, we should not forget our brothers who struggle to make their ends meet,” Saqib added.

Aroosa, a freelancer based in Sharjah, said: “For girls, Eid is something more special. New dresses and outing with friends remain always on top of the Eid plans list. This time too, we have plans to visit Jebel Jais on the second or third day of Eid Al Fitr.

“One of my friends, who recently bought a new car, will give us the joy ride to the beautiful mountainou­s area. The first day of Eid is dedicated to my cousins.”

Ahmad, who lives in Sharjah, told Gulf Today, “Though most of the coronaviru­s restrictio­ns have been lited this time, we should follow the guidelines issued by the UAE authoritie­s. I thank Allah Almighty who gave us this opportunit­y to offer Eid prayers in mosques unlike the previous few years.

“We need to remain vigilant as the pandemic is not fully over yet. We should not forget the teachings of Ramadan once Eid is over, in fact we all should strive to be as virtuous as we were during Ramadan throughout the year.”

The private sector in the UAE has a fiveday Eid holiday.

 ?? File/kamal Kassim/gulf Today ?? ↑ A family enjoys the celebrator­y spirit of Eid outside Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah.
File/kamal Kassim/gulf Today ↑ A family enjoys the celebrator­y spirit of Eid outside Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah.

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