Abu Dhabi: Thousands of people braved the early morning humidity and heat in Abu Dhabi to congregate at mosques for Eid Al Adha prayers.
Expatriates who attended the prayers expressed a deep sense of nostalgia as they recalled the times when they had celebrated Eid with their loved ones back home, especially the family gatherings and the sweet treats. Many couldn’t help but reminisce about their parents and the families and relatives whose houses they would visit to exchange greetings and sweets.
Filipino Jamal Esmael, 37, said “Living in the UAE is great but on such occasions [religious and traditional festivities], we feel nostalgic and miss the family activities back home.” Esmael, who works as a technician, said he has been residing in Abu Dhabi since 2004 and finds himself quite at home there. “It’s very safe and secure,” he said.
Meeting friends and families
Esmael said that Eid is a day that is busy right through back home. As for his plans this Eid, he said he was planning to go out to meet some friends and their families after prayers before a visit to a park or two.
As for the sacrifice, which is the main feature of Eid Al Adha, Esmael said, “We send money back home to help the needy. In the Philippines, a small amount of money adds up to plenty of smiles for many poor families.”
Bangladeshi expatriate Mohammad Zainul Abdeen, a cleaner in Abu Dhabi, who came from Musaffah to Abu Dhabi for the Eid prayers, said, “Before coming to the mosque in Abu Dhabi, first I called my parents back home and sought their blessings [dua] and now I will call them again.”
Scarcely slept
Abdeen said he had scarcely slept the previous night. He left for Abu Dhabi at 5.20 am with a group of 56 people in two mini buses from the Crystal labour accommodation in Musaffah.
“On Eid, we call family back home as I miss my children very much,” Abdeen said, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for six years.
He said he planned to spend the rest of the day “meeting and greeting friends and visiting a few places”.
Indian expatriate Naushad Poovan, a security guard in Abu Dhabi for 11 years, said, “I slept for only two hours and then woke to perform the early morning prayer. I am still feeling sleepy.” He said, he would go back to his room, catch up on some sleep and then meet up with friends to celebrate Eid. He spoke of his memories of Eid celebrations back home.
“In India after prayers, we visit a number of people’s homes to share sweets with them. And then we proceed for the scarifice.”
Egyptian expatriate Salah Ahmad said that he thoroughly enjoys Eid in Abu Dhabi as it feels just like it were back home “as we have plenty of family and friends here”.
Ahmad, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for ten years, added: “On this day, I pray to Allah to make peace prevail all around the Middle East. That is the most important thing.”
