Emirates leaders extend good wishes in Eid Al Fitr messages
The leaders of the UAE have marked Eid Al Fitr by extending their good wishes and congratulations to the country’s people and the wider Arab world.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, gave Eid greetings to the people of the Emirates, the Arab world and all Islamic nations. “I wish we come even closer to each other with each passing year,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.
“I wish for our hearts to become more loving, tolerant, and peaceful.
“Every year, we rejoice in obedience to our Lord. Eid Mubarak and may God accept all good deeds.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also posted a message on Twitter to mark the occasion and congratulate the country’s leaders.
“Congratulations to the President, Vice President, Rulers, citizens and residents of the UAE and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
“May God grant our nation continued happiness and well-being and bestow peace and harmony on the region and the world.”
Cannon were fired across the country yesterday to mark the end of Ramadan and herald the start of Eid Al Fitr, after the moon-sighting committee said on Saturday that they did not see the new crescent moon.
A cannon was fired at Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest building in Abu Dhabi city, to signal prayers and the end of the day’s fast. In Dubai, police officers were stationed at Burj Park to fire the iftar cannon. People gathered at both locations to watch the event.
Officers fire two rounds to announce the beginning and end of the holy month. They fired a single shot at sunset every day during Ramadan to signal the end of the fast.
For the residents of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Eid Al Fitr is all about two traditions that most of them have known and practised since early childhood: family breakfasts and fishing trips.
“One of the most important traditions of Eid for Muslims is performing Eid prayers in the early morning together and then the family gathering over breakfast,” says Abu Omar, a seller at the Central Fish Market on Jeddah’s Corniche.
“Children want to see dolphins and the adults are always eager to fish. People also come and buy from the local bazaar here. Come in on the mornings and you can see a huge variety in the market here of mackerel, lobster, barracuda, shrimp, and a lot more.”
For the past two years, Eid was restricted to small gatherings because of coronavirus safety measures. This year, Saudi Arabia has eased these restrictions and people are looking forward to reviving their favourite traditions, one being fishing in the Red Sea.
“So what’s important is: ‘What do we have for breakfast?’. This is where the tradition of fishing is very important to all of us who live near the sea,” Abu Omar says.
“We were raised near the sea, so fishing comes naturally to us. No matter how close or far you live from it, you always have families coming together for Eid.
“Fathers and sons have been doing this since Jeddah was the old port of trade and a destination for tourists and pilgrims.
“Our fresh seafood is famous with locals and even restaurants, which buy fresh fish from us to sell on Eid mornings.”
In 647 AD, Islam’s third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, established Jeddah as a port to help Muslim pilgrims with Umrah and Hajj, owing to its proximity to Makkah and Madinah.
From the 7th century, Jeddah was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channelling goods to Makkah.
It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia by sea.
Jeddah remains the main and most convenient passage for pilgrims. Over the years, the Red Sea city has become a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions.
Many families uphold Ramadan customs by going to the Red Sea for fishing and an adventure cruise on the morning of Eid.
“I have been doing this for five years, ever since I moved from Riyadh, where we had no sea, to Jeddah, after I got married,” says Sadeem Khaled, a Saudi woman living in Jeddah.
“Every Eid morning, the kids know we are heading to the sea. My husband and his brothers love fishing in the morning, so they do that while the kids enjoy watching them and have their own activities.
“It is so refreshing and a wonderful way to spend quality time by the sea with the family.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, fishing excursions have become less frequent.
Jeddah residents who spoke to The National reminisced about their childhood trips during which they shared remarkable experiences with their relatives.
“I remember that when I was young, my brother and dad would go fishing in the Red Sea,” says Noor Al Sharif, a Saudi graphic designer living in Jeddah.
“When I grew up, I found myself interested in underwater life and started deep-sea diving. Now, I go with my father. He’s older and weaker now, but he loves to be there.”
After a fishing trip, the families will set up small spots on the beach with cushions and mats, enjoying food and Arabic coffee.
They will then spend the morning of Eid on the Corniche along with many other celebrating families, Ms Al Sharif said.
With the rise of social media, local people have invited foreign residents to join them on various fishing trips.
“We have a group on Facebook with fellow deep-sea divers and we decided to go fishing one day, opening it up to friends and the public,” Ms Al Sharif said.
“It was interesting to see many foreign men and women who signed up, and we got a chance to teach them our traditions and culture.
“Fishing is probably the first activity Jeddah is known for as it was when it was founded.”