Dubai: Can it get any better than this?
High spirits combined with a sense of unified celebration ushered in a joyful camaraderie for families, couples and individuals observing the Eid Al Fitr festivities.
As thousands of Emiratis, expatriates and visitors across the nation celebrated the first and second days of of Eid Al Fitr, public parks, shopping malls and cinema houses came alive with friends and families celebrating together.
Airports across the country were bustling with visitors from GCC countries who prefer to mark Eid in the UAE where a slew of events, both outdoors and indoors, provide a holiday atmosphere that reflects the joy of Eid.
No statistics have yet been provided by residency officials in Dubai or Abu Dhabi as the size and scope of this year’s annual holiday migration to the UAE for Eid.
Mohammad Tamim Al Basim, 24, from Saudi Arabia, said that he came to the UAE to celebrate the festival due to its wonderful family friendly ambience, perfect location to watch the fireworks, and dining options.
“The first day of Eid feast began with offering Eid prayers and then we went back home to drink coffee and take sweets as we exchanged greetings. I came to the UAE where people from a myriad cultures co-exist in peace and harmony, with UAE’s residents and visitors celebrating the feast, showcasing Arabic customs, cuisine and culture,” he said.
Naif Mohammad Al Saud, 23, another Saudi, said Eid in Dubai is a social occasion for people from different nationalities to celebrate what Eid stands for and its social values that focus on caring, tolerance and togetherness.
“The celebrations include live performances, concerts, plays, fireworks displays, and many more events and activities during Eid designed to attract visitors from outside the UAE.
“Eid typically starts with the morning prayers even today, When we were young, we would be in bed by 9pm in anticipation of the next day. There were no smartphones and game consoles to keep us up. Today, children sleep later so the early morning prayers can be a little hard to get to. But I feel that it is essential to wake up early on Eid to truly enjoy oneself,” he said. “When we were children we used to feel excitement for new clothes, gifts and Eidiya.”
“I came to Dubai along with my friend Naif during Ramadan and decided to stay a little longer to celebrate Eid as the atmosphere here is different and encouraging because of the diverse events and activities planned for the event. I love to go to the cinema, and spend time in Dubai’s shopping malls and restaurants, and indulge myself,” Mutib Khalid said.
“I really enjoy Eid in Dubai, which is home to the world’s best malls and leisure facilities that host various exciting and entertaining events designed specifically for Eid,” he added.
Khalid said that he loves firework displays and live performances during the Eid celebration.
“We visited Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Qasba that host a selection of world-class restaurants, all with unmatched views of Khalid Lagoon and the stunning Sharjah Fountain, where we enjoyed a wonderful Eid feast while being amazed by the spectacular Eid fireworks display that lit the emirate’s skies above the Khalid Lagoon,” Khalid added.
Nawal Al Ramahi is a trainee at Gulf News
