Festivities begin in Abu Dhabi after final touches

Abu Dhabi: The festive mood of Eid Al Adha has spread across the capital, with communities across the city gearing up for the week-long celebrations by purchasing gifts, clothes and foodstuffs in addition to preparing their homes to greet relatives and friends throughout the holiday.

"Our preparations actually begin a month before Eid, starting with the purchasing of new clothes, abayas and gifts… we also purchase a special incense blend that we burn throughout the holiday.

"On the first day of Eid, we all gather at our father's house in Ras Al Khaimah where we eat traditional Emirati food and sweets such as geemat, furni and sago," Hussain Ahmad, an Emirati based in Abu Dhabi, said.

"Afterwards, we go and visit other relatives, friends and neighbours to exchange Eid greetings while the children are given gifts, including money, which is referred to as Eidiya," he added.

While some may have begun planning earlier for Eid Al Adha, there are still some who are rushing to complete last-minute purchases the day before.

"We are five siblings and we really enjoy the Eid break. We have a family breakfast of manakeesh and pastry, after which our cousins and relatives from Dubai, and even from Lebanon, join us for the occasion…in the evening we go out and meet friends, go out for sheesha and generally have a good time," Sawsan Ka'afarani, a Lebanese expatriate, said.

For others, Eid provides an opportunity to not only reconnect with relatives and friends, but to travel and create new memories.

As part of the preparations, bakeries see a high demand for sweets, according to Baheej Al Sa'abi, a Lebanese expatriate who is the owner of Sea Side patisserie. Traditional sweets include ma'amoul stuffed with dates, pistachios and almonds as well as a variety of baklavas.

Meanwhile "Eid in Dubai", organised by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, is set to kick off festivities to mark Eid Al Adha with an array of entertainment activities including concerts, international shows, fireworks, and shopping deals across the city.

How are you planning to spend Eid? What have you done to prepare for the holiday?