Eid is a time to gather as a family
E id Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is a joyous occasion for all Muslims throughout the world. Earlier memories include meeting friends and relatives during Eid holidays and receiving Eidya in terms of monetary gifts from parents, grandparents and close older relatives, going out for the movies and eating in restaurants with friends during my school days.
This year my plan is to visit India along with my family and share Eid greetings with all my cousins and enjoy some good times with them. From Mr Saifee Tarwala UAE
Childhood memories
I t’s a very auspicious day where we used to celebrate when we were children with our Muslim brothers and sisters. They would get sweets and gifts from their elders and even we are invited with their children to be a part of the occasion. I celebrated Eid only as a child when we used to have friends and joined them with their families. Now I long to enjoy and celebrate with my Muslim friends. From Mr Prasad Warrier Sharjah
Leisure with family
E id is a day for happiness, joy and prosperity after completing one full month of devotion in prayers, fasting and eating delicious food throughout the Ramadan month. It’s a day to rejoice where I can spend more time with family and give more time to children as they need it. We plan an outing where we can get fresh air and relax in the mountains, where no cars, buses or crowds can bother us. A few years back, we spent Eid in Fujairah, enjoying the beach, swimming and then we have barbecue dinners with family. My son always remembers that day. From Mr Lodhi Azmatullah Khan UAE
All about traditions
E id is one of the grand festivals we enjoy in the year. I remember during my childhood days, we used to wait for this Eid as we get Eidya (money) from aunts, uncles and relatives on this day. Even now we have kept this tradition of Eidya for our younger generation. During this Eid, eating siwayyan (a vermicelli dessert) and kheer made of lentils is special, and all our relatives visit each other’s homes and greet one another. No matter how poor he is, this Eid everybody would wear new clothes on this day. From Mr Mohsin Ahmad UAE
A time to come together
E id for me always means happiness, togetherness and sharing. I always love to share this very occasion with family, friends and those who are in need of some help. This day has its own scent of attar and happiness all around. You will not find any other day in a year where all communities come and gather in houses, parks or other places to share food, joy and happiness. I plan this Eid also to be special as it would be my last Eid as a bachelor. I have huge expectations ahead for my family and me. From Mr Salim Mohammad Dubai
A family affair
T here is always suspense of whether the next day is Eid or not? It all depends on the moon, as Eid is dependent upon the sighting of the moon. Suddenly, the breaking news comes in – the moon has been seen!
Cometh the day of Eid, it is new dress, shoes, henna for the ladies and the much awaited Eidya, post Eid prayers.
Getting back home, you will be received by the delicious aroma of mum
cooking biryani. Close relatives drop by and the sound of the seniors talking can be heard. In the evening, we all head out for a family outing as well. It is more of a family affair.
As time goes on, traditions change. We celebrate differently. But the spirits remain the same. From Mr Syed M. Sajl UAE
Celebrating in UAE
A s a person who grew up in a nonMuslim neighbourhood, where there was not even a chance to hear a call to prayer, Eid was a just a day we got off in the middle of a working week where my father who was a busy medical professional took a rare holiday. But for the past 23 years, all my Eid holidays were spent here in the UAE. The whole atmosphere here changes completely during the last days of Ramadan. We can actually feel it in the air.
Going for the Eid prayers with my family members and greeting everyone there is a very humbling experience. I cannot thank God enough for showering his blessings on me and my family by giving us the opportunity to live in such a beautiful Islamic country where practising my religion comes so naturally. From Ms Sajida Kamal Dubai
Giving back
D uring my Eid holiday in 2015, I took three low-paid workers to Dubai from Abu Dhabi. I took them to Dubai Mall and to At the Top in the Burj Khalifa, for a dolphin show, an abra ride on the creek with breakfast, lunch, dinner with the ice cream of their choice. They never had the chance to visit Dubai as they work so hard. Though I did not plan anything like that for this Eid, I plan to repeat the same for four labourers after Eid holidays. From Mr R. N. Abu Dhabi Full name withheld on request
First Eid abroad
B eing born and brought up in the UAE, every Eid was special and memorable. We waited for it twice a year. The henna, the Eid festivities in the air, the picnics, the parties, the food and so much more. My family resides in Sharjah while I moved to India for studies for five years. The Eid edition of Gulf News was my connection to home. I married and moved again. I’m celebrating my first Eid in the US this year with new memories to be made. But I miss the UAE, my home sweet home! From Dr Fatima Khan San Diego, US
Dreaming of Dubai
M y dreamy Eid days are gone for me since I left Dubai years back. Still I want to celebrate there with my friends and cousins, making rounds to the tailor to stitch my clothes and discussions were about food, food and food. It’s no problem even if we are stuck in traffic, because the goal to achieve visiting friends and cousins has to be done at any cost. Nicely laid tables of mouth-watering dishes attacked by one and all. It was fun of a very different kind, which one can’t express and pen down. I still wonder when I will be able to celebrate Eid in Dubai again. From Ms Fauzia Raza Toronto, Canada
Our son’s first Eid
T his Eid will be different for my wife and me, as we are going to celebrate this Eid with the gem of our life, our 10-month-old son and we are very much excited. Our plans are to take a tour of Abu Dhabi, especially of the Grand Mosque, or maybe to just dine in and visit a few of our friends.
So, it’s all a different experience for us and we look forward to enjoying the holiday with our son and family in an Eid festive spirit. From Mr Jos Cardozo Dubai
Convenience
E id, for me, is about spending time with my extended family. The parking timings for Eid are the best thing ever! I live in Abu Dhabi and my family and I are planning to visit Dubai to spend the first day of Eid break and in order to meet our relatives. We have no worries about parking anymore, since we can park anywhere and for free. Thank you, UAE authorities! From Mr Joory M. Al Rashid Abu Dhabi
Better together
E ver since I was little, I have spent every Eid Al Fitr with my extended family. Eid in our home, is an explosion of chatter and laughter, with the mouthwatering aroma of lunch punctuating the conversation.
Usually, Eid is held at one family member’s house, while the rest of the families each bring along a dish, so that the burden of cooking for such a large gathering doesn’t fall on one person.
When food is served, all my aunts, uncles and cousins come together to dine, with praises for the chefs. We then head outside if the weather is pleasant, and engage in games like badminton, or the hosts get everyone involved in a fun quiz indoors, if the weather is bad. The fun continues well into the night, with tea being served constantly. This is my favourite time of the year and I wish everyone a blessed Eid. Make memories, and cherish your loved ones. This is a time to be truly grateful. From Ms Sophie V. Sharjah
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