Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Essential workers are keeping critical public and private services up and running to ensure everyone enjoys a carefree three-day Eid Al Fitr festival across the United Arab Emirates.
Workers who spoke with Gulf News said it was rewarding to work during Eid knowing they are helping others enjoy a respite from the daily grind.
Laila Bahram Moosa Haider, an Emirati employee at the ticket counter of Dubai’s Creek Park, was happy to issue tickets to visitors who thronged the park in hot and humid weather.
“I’m happy when I give the tickets to the people to enjoy in the park … I am happy with my work because I am working for the people,” said Haider who had left for work from her home in Umm Al Quwain at 5.30am on Wednesday.
“My parents, brothers and sisters are waiting for me. I couldn’t even wish them Eid Mubarak in the morning because they were all sleeping when I left home,” said Haider.
“I will go home when my duty finishes at 3pm and have lunch at home ... we don’t go to the park or malls on the first day of Eid. We spend time with the family at home and visit relatives. I will join them later in the evening. When others finish their holidays, I will get my holidays.”
Emirati paramedic Mohammad Saeed Mohammad Hassan Al Qasimi from Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services felt embarrassed to miss the important ritual of family gatherings on Eid day and he missed his mother’s food.
“But above all, it is our duty to stay up vigilant and help as many people as we can especially on such days,” said the 26-year-old.
“We treat everybody equally and with respect. We try to give them comfort at our best and if needed we treat them for any injuries or illnesses,” he said.
Dr Mohammad Hassan Kazia, Head of the Emergency Department at Prime Hospital in Al Gharoud, said all staff doctors in his department are Muslims and were on duty on Eid.
“Unfortunately, they have to sacrifice their time with family on Eid, but this is our line of duty and we have to serve the community,” said the doctor from Mangalore in India.
Dubai Municipality’s street cleaner Nasser from Kerala, India, was another dedicated worker who religiously carried out his job during the hot and humid day.
“Streets have to be clean on Eid day and all other days … So, we do our duty,” he said, smiling and wiping off sweat from his face even as he swept a pavement.
Praveen Prabhakran, from India, has worked on Eid day for the last 18 years, serving as the manager to the well-known Indian Palace Restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
“For me it’s not really a problem to be working on Eid. It is something that I am quite used to by now, and to be honest, I am happy when I am working on Eid day because it’s a happy occasion with a lot of families coming in to celebrate, ” he said.
“For the staff who are working as well, the head chef prepares a special meal for them on Eid day, and along with them, I get an extra day off with extra pay ... so all in all, we are compensated for the day,” he added.
Having witnessed Eid in the UAE for the last 18 years, Prabhakran told Gulf News that he has seen the changes over time in how the day is celebrated.
“We obviously get a lot of customers on Eid day, but one of the main things that I have noticed is compared to when I started, we get more locals now — at least 80 per cent of our customers are Emiratis. In the past many local customers would have usually stayed home or go and visit their relatives, but now we see a lot of them coming to the restaurant with their families to have lunch on the first day of Eid.”
Mohammad Al Naseri, an Indian taxi driver in the capital, is also working over the Eid holidays to reach his monthly commission earnings.
“For taxi drivers, Eid is like another day. We can choose to take the day off if we want, but most of us work during Eid because we want to reach our monthly revenue target, and Eid is a good time to work because there is an increase in passengers during evening time,” he said.
“It would obviously be nice to take a day off and relax, but I don’t really have any complaints, as taxi drivers we are needed during Eid because many people and families are going out and we are there to help them. That makes me happy,” he added.