Abu Dhabi/Dubai: A festive mood swept across the UAE on Tuesday as people all over the country observed Eid Al Adha with prayers, fanfare and family gatherings.
The first day of the festival of sacrifice began with traditional prayers, as thousands of believers thronged Eid musallahs (prayer grounds) and mosques at sunrise, marking the beginning of the four-day festival.
Despite the hot weather, thousands braved the heat to pray under the morning sun. Both the musallahs and mosques were packed.
Dressed in their best attire, men and women — along with their children — were seen greeting fellow worshippers, relatives and friends with a customary hug and handshake.
Eid Al Adha is the second among the two major Islamic religious celebrations that marks the completion of the annual Haj pilgrimage, while also commemorating Prophet Ebrahim’s willingness to follow God’s command in offering his son Esmail for sacrifice.
In the sermons following Eid prayers, Imams across the mosques and musallahs addressed the devotees on the significance of sacrifice for a good cause, while also praying for peace in the region.
Over the next four days, thousands of animals will be sacrificed, as believers imitate the Prophet Ebrahim’s brave gesture and Ismail’s stoic acceptance.
In Dubai, long lines of vehicles heading to the central abattoir in Al Qusais could be seen immediately after the prayers, as people queued up with their sacrificial animals.
Long vehicle queues were also seen outside several parks, as people spent time outdoors with families and friends despite the summer heat; however, most of the parks filled up towards the latter part of the day, when the sun was more merciful.
However, with the weather not being conducive for outdoor activities, most people stayed indoors, spending precious time with their families or visiting relatives. Many also headed to the malls and souqs.
With four days of holidays this Eid, many families and groups of friends headed for short trips to nearby destinations like Salalah or Musandam in Oman.
Mountain destinations within the UAE like Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, offering relatively cooler climes, are also on the Eid revellers’ itinerary.
Even as residents marked their Eid, thousands of visitors — particularly from the neighbouring Gulf countries — have also landed in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, enjoying the myriad festivities on offer in the UAE.
On the eve of Eid, bazaars, supermarkets, malls and souqs were buzzing with life as residents hurried for last minute shopping.
Confectioners, bakers and sweet shops worked overtime to make Eid that much more sweeter for people, as no festivities are complete without the sweet treats.
Residents celebrate Eid
Ahmad Al Muhairi, 33, government employee
“I’m going to spend Eid Al Adha with my wife and three children, I’m happy that we’re all together, because the Eid is an important time to celebrate and to be with the family. We are going to visit a lot of places in Abu Dhabi including the Corniche, Emirates Palace, shopping malls and the newly opened Warner Bros World. We want to watch the fireworks shows happening in the evening as well, so there’s a lot to see and do.”
Mohammad Akif, 26, India
“I am coming to Abu Dhabi with my wife, to visit my new in-laws during Eid. I got married just six months ago, so we are a new family and it’s good to spend the festival together. We’re going to have a nice lunch over traditional food, and then spend the evening together and maybe go out and catch the fireworks. As it’s a long holiday, we also have plans to meet and go out with friends, once all the family gatherings are over.”
Mohammad Ishfar, 30, Pakistan
“I started my Eid Al Adha with the traditional morning prayers at Shaikh Zayed Mosque. I really wanted to visit the mosque for this year’s Eid; the last time I took part in Eid prayers was two years ago and so this time, I wanted to be there again. After prayers, I’ll be spending the rest of the day with friends in Abu Dhabi. We will visit parks, shopping malls and definitely watch the fireworks in the evening. That will be the routine for the entire holidays, just being with my friends and having a good time. We are all usually busy during the working week and don’t have a lot of time, so holidays like these are a good occasion to catch up together.”
