Families celebrate their ‘happiest Eid in two years’
After two years of muted celebrations becauseofthecovid-19 pandemic, UAE residents welcomed the return of the festive Eid spirit they had always known.
Though Covid rules were relaxed as cases were pinned to just a little above 200, Eid Al Fitr festivities remained largely a family affair. Many took the opportunity to see extended relatives in other emirates, something they hadn’t done over the past two years. Others caught up with friends but kept the get-togethers small.
Tamara Syed, digital marketing head of Airways Aviation, said: “The day had been extremely eventful. It started with Eid salah at our masjid in Dubai Sports City, and then we drove to Ajman to meet our extended family members.”
For Tamara, having the chance to share the spirit of Eid with more members of the family “magnified the joys of the occasion”.
“It was something we missed amid the pandemic. This year, we were also able to invite our parents to celebrate with us, doubling our joy,” she added.
Even those who come from big families were able to gather for sumptuous feasts.
“We celebrated Eid with our uncle, aunts, brothers and sisters at my uncle’s house. A total of seven families got together to make our post-eid Covid-19 celebration memorable. It was a perfect gathering as this is something we are doing after a very long time,” said resident Abdul Rafi.
In almost every culture, food remained at the centre of Eid Al Fitr celebrations.
“Traditionally, most communities here have biryani or some meaty dish for Eid,” said Pakistani expatriate Mohammed Saqlain Khan.
“My family is no exception. Since there were at least 18 of us at home for lunch, the feast was spectacular. We spent the evening drinking tea and playing games with the kids. When the sun starts to set, we sometimes play cricket,” he added.
After the get-togethers, wheels were out on the roads decked up in festive lights.
In Abu Dhabi, small gatherings of family and friends at parks, Corniche area, malls and restaurants were the order of the day. Residents also flocked to tourist attractions, which buzzed with events and activities.
Abdul Hasani, a resident, said the festive atmosphere was the best after years of subdued Eid.
“We have planned outings with friends. We will be visiting Yas and Hudayriyat islands. We surely won’t be missing out on the fireworks. This is for the first time in two years that families are enjoying a nearnormal Eid. But we are careful and taking necessary precautions to avoid another wave of restrictions if Covid-19 cases shoot up again,” said the father of two children who works as an engineer.
Ahmedmoosa,amarketingexecutive at a private firm, has a packed schedule for the holidays.
“We are a group of friends catching up on the first day of Eid. We will spend some time at the theme parks, head to Layali Yas Concerts, then a trip to Al Ain and camping at Jebel Hafeet, and then straight to Dubai. We have all decided to unwind and relax before the grind resumes after the holidays.
Mohammed Zaheer Kota, a resident of Sharjah, said he celebrated the day with his cousins.
“I met many of my friends and family members at the mosque. After our prayers, I returned home and started preparing for lunch as I was expecting guests. We haven’t celebrated this way in a long time,” he said.