The greetings of generations as Dubai mosque welcomes the faithful
Thousands of worshippers of all ages set off from their homes at dawn yesterday to perform Eid Al Adha prayers at mosques across the country.
Traffic police guided drivers on busy roads leading to Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai as worshippers tried to find parking spaces.
Residents of the neighbourhood joined the steady stream of people passing through the doors or lining up on the pavements and park area outside the mosque.
The sound of takbeer [calling “Allahu akbar”] rang through the speakers and worshippers carrying prayer mats hurried to their places, saying hasty hellos and lining up shoulder to shoulder. Then the mosque fell still.
Prompted by the imam, worshippers methodically unfolded their hands from their chests and quickly raised them to their heads before kneeling and posturing up again.
When the prayers were over, family and friends gathered to greet each other properly.
“It is important to start celebrations with Eid prayers,” said Riyadh Najm, a Syrian father of three.
“I encourage my children to form the habit of praying.”
He was joined by his wife, Marwa Al Humaidi, and children, Ahmed, Sama and Aws. Each wore new clothes for the occasion and attended the religious lectures after prayers.
“The weather is cooler than yesterday,” said Mr Najm.
Ms Al Humaidi, who has lived in the UAE for 13 years, said she first felt the spirit of Eid after hearing the familiar call to prayer and seeing crowds of worshippers respond.
“It is a beautiful atmosphere. We have so many relatives living here and Eid is a time for family gatherings.”
Their children, she said, are particularly excited to receive Eid money – or Eidiyah – from the elders of the family, as is customary during the holiday.
“My daughter Sama said this morning that she is very excited about her new clothes and Eid money,” Ms Al Humaidi said.
Elsewhere in the mosque, the religious lectures began while others took pictures and exchanged greetings. Children dressed in national dress or colourful clothes ran around excitedly.
Othman Saleem, a Jordanian living in Dubai, said that at morning prayers and while he fasted in the days leading up to Eid, he prayed to Allah to reward Muslims.
“I feel special to start my celebrations with praying,” said Mr Saleem, 43, who works in the property sector.
The practice is not mandatory but Muslims are advised to fast before Eid, particularly on Arafat Day, which is viewed as one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.
Mr Saleem invited his family to gather at his home for lunch.
“My family and I bought huge quantities of meat. Some of it will be cooked and the rest will be distributed to the needy,” he said.
Although he follows this tradition, he has stopped buying new clothes to wear during Eid.
“But I help my sisters to pick their children’s outfits,” he said.
The early wake-up can be difficult for some. A few men were late trickling into the mosque in time for the lectures and looked for a place to sit and blend in.
Syed Noor, a Pakistani, 23, was once such a late riser his friends had to wake him to make it in time.
“I work in a nearby restaurant and finished my work shift late in the night. I am thankful I am here now and will celebrate with some friends,” he said.