Prayers, family visits and football on first day of Eid
RESIDENTS SPEND TIME WITH FAMILIES AND VISIT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ON THE FIRST DAY OF EID, BUT MANY STAY INDOORS DUE TO THE HEAT
Prayers and thanksgiving as well as family traditions came first for thousands of residents as they welcomed the first day of Eid Al Fitr yesterday, marking the completion of the 29-day fasting month of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal.
Residents shuffled quietly into mosques across the country for the morning Eid prayer.
Many went home straight after prayers to spend time with their families. Others picked up sweets and drove to visit families and friends to exchange Eid greetings and gifts.
For Filipino Roy Tamano and family, the celebration was simple yet memorable.
“We had our family celebration at home after the Eid prayer. During lunch, we had an aqiqah (Muslim baptism) for a newborn baby boy in the family,” Tamano, who works in Sharjah, told Gulf News.
“It’s a significant day for us to perform this tradition as a family on Eid Al Fitr,” Tamano said.
Some residents preferred to stay home to avoid the midday heat and to welcome friends dropping in for a visit.
Airin Usman, a Filipina accountant, said she and her husband usually head to the beach after the Eid prayer, weather permitting.
Non-Muslims took advantage of the holiday as well and headed to the northern emirates for a respite from the heat.
Ryan Thomas Namia said he went to Ras Al Khaimah with friends and went crabbing by evening.
The football World Cup fever gripped many revellers yesterday. The popular sport telecast from Russia took over their afternoon as they waited for sunset.
Tamer Al Sawy, from Egypt, was no exception. The Abu Dhabi resident said Eid Al Fitr was even more special because of Egypt’s World Cup match falling on the same day.
“It’s a double special day for us because of the Eid and Egypt’s World Cup match. We watched the game live and cheered for our country…,” Al Sawy said, adding they went shopping after to take advantage of the 24-hour sale.
“We are happy to be together as a family, that’s what Eid is about. You have to spend it with your loved ones.”
Other residents in downtown Abu Dhabi welcomed the Eid Al Fitr holiday by spending time with friends as their families are overseas. Mohammad Shahnawaz, from India, was one of them.
“My family is back home in India and so I spent the occasion with my good and close friends. We started the day with the morning Eid prayer and went out after that. We went to shopping malls and visited the Corniche for the evening fireworks show,” he said.
“All of us are so grateful, we just finished 29 days of Ramadan fasting, and so we are very happy and want to celebrate. The Eid is a time to be with your friends so you can share the joy together,” he said.
Wahid Rahman, from Pakistan, said his plans for both days were already set.
“I went out with my friends on the first day of Eid, and then on Saturday, we are going to visit Dubai. We are usually busy because of work and so Eid is a good time for us to catch up. We have two days of holiday so we are going to enjoy it as much as we can.”
We had our family celebration at home after the Eid prayer. During lunch, we had an aqiqah (Muslim baptism) for a baby boy in the family.”
Roy Tamano | Filipino
It’s a double special day for us because of Eid and Egypt’s World Cup match. We watched the game live and cheered for our country … We are happy to be together as a family.”
Tamer Al Sawy | Egyptian
My family is back home in India and so I spent the occasion with my friends. We started the day with Eid prayer and went out after that. We went to shopping malls and visited the Corniche for the evening fireworks show.”
Mohammad Shahnawaz | Indian
I went out with my friends on the first day of Eid. On Saturday, we are going to visit Dubai. We are usually busy because of work and so Eid is a good time for us to catch up. We have two days of holiday so we are going to enjoy it as much as we can.”
Wahid Rahman | Pakistani
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, performed the Eid Al Fitr prayer at Zabeel Mosque in Dubai.
Performing the prayer alongside Shaikh Mohammad were Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince; Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group; Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, a number of shaikhs, officials and worshippers.
In Abu Dhabi, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, performed the Eid Al Fitr prayer alongside worshippers at the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Also performing the prayer with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed were Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a number of shaikhs and senior officials.
Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates also performed Eid Al Fitr prayers yesterday.
Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi of Sharjah, offered the Eid Al Fitr prayer at Al Badee Musallah in the emirate.
Shaikh Sultan was joined by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, a number of shaikhs, officials and worshippers. Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, and Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, performed the Eid prayer at the Shaikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Mosque.
Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, offered the Eid prayer at the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the emirate. A number of shaikhs, senior officials, dignitaries, citizens and residents also performed the prayer with the Fujairah Ruler.
Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain offered the Eid Al Fitr prayer at the Shaikh Zayed Mosque. A number of shaikhs, senior officials, dignitaries, citizens and residents also performed the prayer alongside the Ruler.
Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, offered the Eid prayer at the Grand Eid Musallah in Khuzam. A number of shaikhs, senior officials, dignitaries, citizens also performed the prayer alongside the Ruler.