Abu Dhabi: The Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) held an event to mark Eid Al Adha on Friday, with around 1,000 guests getting together over a meal of biryani.
Members of the Indian community cutting across all age groups gathered at one of the oldest social clubs in Abu Dhabi for the event.
The managing committee, which included Ramesh Panicker, honorary president; Mohammad Salam, honorary general secretary; and Rajesh Nair, acting entertainment secretary, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support but announced that the planned celebrations were cancelled as a mark of respect for the people who had lost their lives in the Haj tragedy.
Panicker began his address by saying that his thoughts and prayers were with those who had been affected by the tragedy in Saudi Arabia and asked all present to pray for the more than 700 pilgrims who had lost their lives.
Panicker told Gulf News, “The ISC celebrates Eid Al Adha every year with cultural programmes and festivities but this year we cancelled them due to the what happened during Haj.”
The other members of the managing committee echoed Panicker’s views.
Many people who attended the event expressed their appreciation for ISC’s efforts at integrating the Indian community.
“I don’t think I would have been able to have this experience in India,” said Nilav Sebastian, a 23-year old Christian member of the ISC. “I came here to celebrate Eid with my Muslim brothers and sisters. All of us from different cultures and backgrounds, together in harmony... it’s special.”
Veena Krishnan, a 38-year old housewife said: “What is great about ISC is that it is a platform for everyone to come together for the festivities of different faiths and cultures.”
Alex Mathew, a 25-year old student from India, said he enjoyed the opportunity to be with people of different faiths to celebrate important cultural events.
