Eid mood grips Abu Dhabi residents

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi residents said they are in a festive mood ahead of Eid Al Fitr and nothing - including H1N1 virus fear - hinders their holiday spirit.

Shopping malls and public areas witnessed the rush of a large number of people, who were shopping and preparing for the Eid on Saturday. Many residents said they had started preparing for Eid at least a week ago, anticipating the last-minute rush.

Gallery: Eid shopping across the UAE

"I finished my shopping ten days ago to avoid the last-minute rush," Adel Al Marzouqi, a prominent Emirati businessman said.

"Since then, I found huge rush at shopping malls and public places which prove that swine flu fear has not dampened the festive mood," said Al Marzouqi.

He said people are confident about the steps taken by the government against swine flu.

Al Marzouqi said he would visit close relatives and friends to greet them in the morning after prayers. "Then I have to entertain relatives and friends who visit me to convey Eid wishes," he added.

Mohammad Ashraf, a 40-year-old Pakistani accountant, said his family has decided to celebrate Eid outdoors as his two children are not worried about swine flu. "We used to spend the whole day outside home on Eid. My two sons - one is eight years old and the other one five - want to go to shopping malls in the morning after prayers," he said. "They have already demanded toys like helicopters. Then we will go to the Corniche."

Ashraf said he and the family would go fishing in the Marina area on the eve of Eid.

"My children really enjoy it; they have already purchased the hooks and all."

Mohammad Abdul Fazil, an Indian, said he finished his Eid shopping by Friday.

"I will be purchasing sweets this evening to distribute to my friends and relatives," said 26-year-old Fazil, who works as a messenger at a courier company.

"I will start calling up my family members, relatives and friends in India early morning of Eid to wish them. The happiest thing here is I can have my Eid prayers at the Shaikh Zayed Mosque in the capital, one of the largest mosques in the world," he added.