A kiss and a bear hug: Eid Al Adha in UAE gets an emotional start

Last week was hectic. Well, that goes without saying since it was Eid Al Adha. Holidays mean field days for us photographers. Planning for the week started well in advance. It was decided that I would visit Musalla Al Eid in Bur Dubai. We all knew we would be able to get some good shots on the first day of Eid. But the schedule soon changed, and I was asked to cover the new mosque in Sharjah. Well, I was a bit apprehensive about going to a new place. Of course, anything new inspires me, but I would rather be on familiar grounds when I click photographs.

After that last-minute change in plan, I finally decided to go to Al Noor Mosque at Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah. I am glad I took that decision. The mosque with an imposing Turkish Ottoman architecture has always inspired me.

I was to capture both videos and photographs of the faithful on the first day of Eid. I walked in at 6.15am, shortly after prayer time, with the Takbir, translated as ‘God is the greatest’, reverberating in the atmosphere.

The mosque was full by 6.30am and people could be seen standing and praying by the roadside. I clicked some good shots and took a video of the faithful immersed in prayer. It was still early morning, but our online desk was up and running. These pictures and videos had to be sent quickly. But I wasn’t satisfied with what I had clicked. These were just normal photographs. I had to get something better. My eyes took in the atmosphere even as my fingers were ready to click.

That’s when Maan, a young boy, decided to hug and kiss his cute little brother Omer. It was the moment I was waiting for. I clicked a couple of pictures and then made my way to the father of the boys to seek permission to publish the photographs. He was only too glad. He not only gave me permission but also enveloped me in a bear hug. My day, rather my week, was made.