UAE celebrates Eid with family feasts
MANY RESIDENTS USE WEEKEND BREAK TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS, AND OTHERS VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFTER MORNING PRAYERS
Across the UAE, residents are celebrating the joyous advent of Eid Al Fitr, which marks the completion of Ramadan. With an extended Eid weekend break — the public sector resumes work on Wednesday while the private sector does so tomorrow — the country is steeped in the festive mood.
Over the last few days, in preparation for the long weekend ahead, tens of thousands of people have been flying to out to celebrate Eid overseas.
In Dubai alone, over 1.9 million passengers are expected to pass through Dubai International during the heightened traffic of Eid holiday. Extra staff have been deployed to cope with the rush.
In Abu Dhabi, Dr Mohammad Naeemat, Emirati, began the Eid morning with prayers at the mosque. “Eid Al Fitr is a part of our tradition, a part of our religion, and it is a very nice celebratory occasion,” he said.
“As part of the tradition, I began Eid with morning prayers at the mosque, following which we exchanged Eid greetings. I also exchanged Eid greetings with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. On the second day of Eid, I plan to go to Dubai to exchange Eid greetings with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
Dr Naeemat said that Eid is a great opportunity to visit family and friends. “The traditions we have are very much the same as before — of visiting each others’ homes and celebrating Eid together,” he said. The one difference these days, he said, is the role of technology “but during Eid, it is still customary and preferred to meet each other in person, whether it’s family, friends, or neighbours.”
For Ahmad Bin Al Shaikh, an important facet of Eid is the customary visit to his grandparents’ home. After a leisurely breakfast, the Sharjah-based Emirati family head off there.
“We always visit our grandparents’ house because every- one gathers there,” he says.
There, the family feasts on traditional Emirati foods such as harees, a porridge-like hot dish made with cracked wheat and meat, balaleet, a sweet and salty omelette-style dish of sugared vermicelli and eggs, and arsiya, a rice pudding with chicken, served with clarified butter.
For Dubai-based Nisrin Arsiwala, an Indian expatriate, “Eid, as always, is special.” There are no extravagant plans for Eid, said Arsiwala, but her family was planning to watch a movie “followed by a visit to relatives [that is certain]”.
Arsiwala also said that the best way to spend the time during Eid is to take a road trip to the mountain-studded northern emirates. “We will certainly make a road trip to experience the beauty of nature,” she said. “Both me and my husband love exploring the interiors of the country.”
This Eid break, the couple are planning to spend most of the time in Khor Fakkan.
Once back in Dubai, they’ll will dine out a few times. “I would love to explore some exclusive restaurants,” she added.
Mohammad Mashoud, from Bangladesh, a Dubai resident, said his Eid celebrations would be with friends in the capital. “I came from Dubai to the capital for the occasion. I started the day with the Eid prayers at the mosque, and then called my wife who is back home in Bangladesh, wishing her Eid Mubarak. I also wished my other family members back home, my father, mother, sister. It is customary to greet your family on Eid and I felt happy speaking to them.”
Mashoud said Eid is a blessed time, and he truly enjoys it. “I hope all Muslims around the world can have a peaceful and enjoyable Eid.”
For Habib Khan, a Pakistani expatriate in Abu Dhabi, Eid begins, as it does every year, with morning prayers. “The rest of the day I am spending with friends. Eid is a time of joy and celebration and I am happy to be with my friends during this holiday. It is a great time to catch up, as normally you are busy with work and daily life, so Eid is the time to see each other. ”
The traditions we have are very much the same as before — of visiting each others’ homes and celebrating Eid together.” Dr Mohammad Naeemat | Emirati I started the day with prayers at the mosque, and then called my wife who is in Bangladesh.” Mohammad Mashoud | Bangladeshi expat It is a great time to catch up as normally you are busy with work and daily life. So Eid is the time to see each other.” Habib Khan | Pakistani expat