One festival, many traditions

On Eid morning, Salma Amer’s family — originally from Egypt and long settled in the UAE — follows a cherished routine. The Al Wahba family wakes early to offer their morning prayers before gathering at her in-laws’ home for breakfast.

Across the city, Sabina Yousuf’s Indian household teems with activity. Her family begins their day with Fajr prayers at home, then heads to the mosque for the special Eid prayers — a ritual close to their hearts.

For Athba Ali AlRasheed, an Emirati, Eid prayers are sacrosanct. “Everyone goes to a large outdoor space to offer prayers, and then we return home,” she says.

A similar scene plays out at Lamia Ali’s home. A Malaysian who has spent only one Eid in the UAE so far, she was heartened to see the tradition of Eid prayers honoured at her in-laws’ with just as much solemnity.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a population as diverse as the UAE’s. Its cultural milieu is vibrant and eclectic, the social fabric woven with threads from around the world. Yet, it’s heart-warming to see how the rituals of prayer, the warmth of family, and the joy of giving during Eid are universal — transcending boundaries, cultures, and countries.

While each family has its own beloved rituals — whether it’s a special dish that evokes memories of home or a tradition lovingly passed down — what stands out most is the deep respect accorded to older family members.

Whether the family is Indian, Egyptian, Malaysian, or Emirati, Eid is almost always celebrated at the home of the eldest member. This often makes the grandparent’s house the bustling hub of all activity — where family members gather, a lavish spread is enjoyed, and children eagerly wait for their gifts or Eidi.

The custom of giving Eidi or Eidiya — cash gifts for younger family members — is prevalent across all cultures. Yousuf says, “The joy of giving Eidi is unparalleled. It’s a cherished tradition. It wasn’t just about the money — it was the excitement of collecting it and feeling special.”

AlRasheed laughs, “You could get expensive gifts, but everyone wants cash for Eidiya. A few days before Eid, we go to the bank to exchange old notes for fresh, crisp ones. Even the envelopes are getting fancier — you can customise them with designs and even personalise them with each person’s name!”

Like with every festival, food is central to the celebration of Eid. In every household, tables are laden with magnificent dishes, and everyone is encouraged to indulge after a month of fasting. It’s here that the culinary heritage of one’s homeland shines brightest.

Yousuf explains, “Food is a huge part of Eid. One dish that is a must in every Indian home is sheer khurma — a rich vermicelli pudding with milk, dates, nuts, and saffron.

“And of course, we have to have biryani — either mutton or chicken. Having lived in the UAE for decades, we’ve also adopted local favourites like luqaimat, kunafa, and the like.”

Amer shares, “On Eid day, breakfast in our home is light — a break from the heavier Ramadan fare — but we always have milk tea and traditional Egyptian cookies called kahk.”

Food certainly takes centre stage in AlRasheed’s household as well. “You’ll find harees, balaleet, karak tea, Arabic coffee, and dates all on the table. We also prepare a special dish made with baby goat and rice that my family absolutely loves.”

Back in Malaysia, Eid at Ali’s house meant indulging in all kinds of cookies — her favourite being Kuih Semperit. “I missed the cookies so much during my first Eid in the UAE that I actually brought back 16 canisters filled with all kinds — jam-filled, chocolate-topped — from Malaysia. I carried them by hand so they wouldn’t break!”

While food prep usually begins a day or two before Eid, planning outfits takes months. The women I spoke to order fabrics well in advance and finalise designs early to beat the tailor shop rush — where wait times can stretch to several weeks. Getting your outfit on time often involves coaxing an overworked tailor, a tactic everyone seems to employ.

AlRasheed says, “When I shop for the kids, I do it during Ramadan, but if I need anything tailored, I plan at least two months ahead. We Emiratis have our favourite spots for outfits — in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and in Dubai, we love Freej Al Murar.”

For Ali, Baju Kurung — a traditional Malaysian outfit of a skirt and tunic — is her go-to Eid attire. She chuckles as she shares a sweet tradition from Malay households. “Every year, the family picks a colour. Then we buy the fabric in bulk, and everyone’s outfits are made from the same bolt — just in different designs. Men, women, kids — we all wear the same colour as a household.”

Yousuf says, “Clothing holds a lot of significance for us, and we love dressing up in traditional attire for Eid. In the UAE, we still wear salwar kameez, but with more variety now. Many Indians opt for abayas or jalabiyas with Indo-Arabic embroidery — a beautiful example of Emirati influence on our culture.”Amer adds, “In Egypt, we don’t traditionally apply henna for Eid, but ever since I moved to the UAE, I’ve embraced it — it’s become one of my favourite Eid rituals.”