Dubai: Family traditions, prayers and joy were in the order of the day across the country as thousands of revellers celebrated the first day of Eid Al Adha with social visits and family outings.
Those celebrating Eid started the day early and thronged to mosques and musallahs to offer Eid prayers.
Eid Al Adha marks the completion of the annual Haj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Devotees also sacrifice animals like sheep or goat as a sign of gratitude for the blessings they have received.
While Eid celebrations have undergone many changes due to the changing of the times, many still choose to observe the tradition of visiting family and friends.
Many residents stayed indoors at about noon because of the relatively hot weather but drove to public parks for a picnic at about 2pm. Donning their best clothes, children happily rode their bikes in the park. They must have received their Eidiya or Eid gifts earlier that morning as is the tradition.
There were also those who basked in the sun and went for a dip at Jumeirah Beach. Many took advantage of the Beach Family Fair at the Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim where the nightly fireworks are being held.
Malls are likewise a crowd favourite as many shops offered shop and win promotions during Eid celebrations.
Apart from the traditional Eid to-do lists, residents flocked to the last day of Gitex at the World Trade Centre, where prices of products were cut massively in what was dubbed “crazy deals” in order to sell out gadgets in stock.
