Abu Dhabi: The smell of her grandmother’s freshly baked ka’ak biscuits is a strong theme in the Eid memories of Hana Abou Gazia.
“My grandma is a talented baker, so every year for Eid, rather than buying the ka’ak biscuits, she makes them at home,” said the 20-year-old Egyptian expatriate. Ka’ak is an essential part of Eid in Egypt, said Hana. “The sugared biscuits are always exchanged between neighbours and family members during the holidays.”
Hana moved to the UAE at the age of 10, when her father took up a new job in the country. She continues, however, to celebrate Eid Al Fitr with her extended family in Egypt every year.
The aspiring art director’s eyes light up as she reminisces about Eid back home. “I love the smell of samna (butter fat) from my grandma’s cooking that spreads through the house. I also love the sound of the muezzin calling people to prayer at the crack of dawn, and the sight of people making their way to the mosque for Eid prayer.”
After the Eid prayers and breakfast, it is time to spend the rest of the day with their respective families.
Joy permeates the air — in the streets and at home as people greet each other using the phrase ‘kol sana w entu tayyebeen’ (every year, you are good).
- Hana Abou Ghazia, Abu Dhabi resident
Children collect eidiya (cash gifts) grinning from ear to ear. Though no longer a child, Hana still receives eidiya from the elders in her family.
She usually spends the first day of Eid with her maternal grandparents, and the second day with her paternal grandparents.
“Being away from my family was the hardest part for me. I’m very close to my family, my grandparents especially.
“Eid is a symbol of family and happiness to me. I feel like Eid has to be spent with family and loved ones, or else it won’t feel like Eid,” she said.
Liyana Al Abdul Salam is an intern at Gulf News.
