Eid marked with festivities, prayers

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah: The UAE’s social hubs and streets were bustling with Eid Al Adha celebrations. In some venues, cheek by jowl crowds made their way to enjoy a day out, starting in the morning, and extending into the evening.

Muslims across the country gathered in mosques early morning to perform the Eid prayers on the first day of Eid Al Adha on Friday.

With the three-day Eid holiday, Abu Dhabi has been decked with Eid Al Adha decorations and many residents have gathered in parks, shopping malls, and relative’s houses to celebrate the special occasion. Eid decorations in other cities, especially in Dubai, can not be missed also.

The first two days of the holidays saw many residents take road trips within the country, culminating with overnight stays. The emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain were favoured by many.

“I wanted to use this time to go on a long drive with my family, and celebrate Eid differently so I headed to Umm Al Quwain,” said Sharjah-based Pakistani banker Bader Ahmad, who invited his parents from his native country for the occasion.

Indian resident Jana Kazim, a marketing executive in Dubai, who along with her family and relatives visited Jebel Hafeet, said that the children thoroughly enjoyed the hot springs while the adults loved the panoramic views. “Though it was a day trip, we made the best of it,” she said.

The cooler weather - with highs between 33 to 35 degrees, and lows between 22 to 23 degrees, in most emirates, made outdoor activities a major draw. Parks in the UAE billowed smoke from barbecues pits and saw large groups picnicking in the day and evenings.

Indoor activities, marked by the participation of 24-hour malls, were busy with shoppers and visitors indulging in shopping bargains and a host of entertainment activities from folklore performances to dance troupes and raffle draws. To explain how busy the malls are, Indian resident Dhalia Malik, said, “It is busier than ‘weekend busy’.”

Some however chose to stay away from malls. Dana Abu Laban, a Jordanian media professional in Dubai, is celebrating Eid with her mother who is visiting from Jordan. “Both lunch and dinner will definitely be at restaurants with live Arabic music, and in the evenings we might catch a play,” she said.

Ahmad Samir Soroji, a Palestinian public relations officer from Ras Al Khaimah said that the occasion is the first Eid since his marriage. “We are going to be in Oman. It will be a different kind of celebration for me and my wife,” he said.

Emiratis said that occasion is special because it is marked by family reunion. Sharjah-based student Hessa Al Suwaidi from the Dubai Women’s College said, “On the first day, we visit our grandfathers, and meet for a family lunch at our main family home. Eid brings together family members who don’t get to meet each other as often. The remaining days are spent with extended family and friends,” she said.

Hareb Al Amiri, an engineer in Dubai said he isn’t travelling this year. “Traditionally, after the morning prayers, we visit the elders in the family. The entire family then meets at one of the cousins’ homes for lunch. In the evening, we step out,” he said.

In addition, both Emiratis and residents alike celebrated through various activities including fireworks over Dubai Creek, and the festive street carnival at Sharjah’s Al Qasba.

The popular shopping fest in Abu Dhabi has also kicked off today in the capital and attracted thousands of shopping enthusiasts, who look forward to exciting promotions, to experience a wide range of goods and boost the spirit of Eid.

With almost 11 Eid festival booths operating throughout all Abu Dhabi malls, guests have enjoyed dates and Arabic coffee besides henna designers and malls have featured a variety of attractions, activities, and entertainment to its attendees to assure the best in fun, fashion, food as well as fantastic give-aways to woo visitors across the UAE and GCC countries.

Mona Adel, a 24-year-old accountant manager, is coming all the way from Saudi Arabia to UAE in order to spend Eid Al Adha fest said: “Eid is a great opportunity for me to travel to the capital, where I used to live before, and celebrate with friends after long days and hours of working. I have met my friends, ate in various restaurants, which I really like, experienced different cuisines and went to the beach as well.”

“I have lived in the capital for almost four years, therefore it is the most convenient place for me and for my family to celebrate and I am really excited to experience the spirit of Eid again here,” she added.

However, Ahmed Elsayed says: “I don’t really feel that this year’s Eid is unique and I don’t really have high expectations for something special, I was looking forward to spend Eid Al Adha at my home country in Egypt, yet situations are unstable.”

“Although there are no plans till the current time, I am thinking of gathering with friends at a public park for more entertainment,” the 21-year-old senior university student added.

“I welcomed first day of Eid with morning prayers and good wishes, and then I cooked some traditional dishes at home for family members and relatives gatherings. Afterwards, I got ready to hang outside with my children, who were really excited to receive their Eidiya - a cash gift given to children by elders to help them celebrate the - to buy sweets and video games,” Waffa Noor, 30-year-old housewife, said.

“I woke up early in the morning, hanged around my home and checked on what my mother has prepared for Eid. By then, my father and brothers got ready for special Eid prayers. I have collected nearly Dh5,000 this Eid and I am really excited to go out and have lots of fun with my beloved ones,”said Mariam Samir, 12.

Mushrif Mall had also started its wonderful Eid celebrations in addition to beautiful decorations. The world’s largest book, named “This is Mohammad”, which entered the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest book, had also been displayed in the mall.