Family, friends and food fortify festive fervour
- 23 Apr 2023
Tanvir Usman, Gulf Today
Eid Al Fitr is a joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world. In the UAE, the festival is a time for family, friends, and community to come together and celebrate.
From preparing traditional dishes to wearing beautiful clothes and exchanging gifts, the ways in which people celebrate Eid in the UAE are as diverse as the people themselves.
In Sharjah, Anum, a Pakistani expat, celebrated Eid with her family by preparing traditional Pakistani dishes such as biryani and sheer khurma.
She also wore a beautiful dress and applied henna on her hands.
“Eid is a special time for us to come together as a family and celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” she said.
“We prepare our favourite dishes, dress up in our best clothes, and spend time with our loved ones. This time, Eid was double delight as my mother came from Pakistan to celebrate the joyous occasion with us here in the UAE,” she remarked.
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In Dubai, Sarib Butt celebrated Eid with his relatives. He offered Eid prayers at a local mosque and dined out with his kin.
“Eid is a time for us to celebrate with loved ones. We make sure to spend time with our family and friends and strengthen our bonds with them.”
In Dubai, Ahmed, an Indian expat, visited his friends and family members and exchanged gifts with them. He also dressed up in a kurta and pajamas and offered Eid prayers at a local mosque.
“Eid is a time for us to connect with our loved ones and express gratitude for all the blessings in our lives. We also make it a point to visit the less fortunate and share the joy of Eid with them,” he said.
Stilt walkers entertain the crowds in Abu Dhabi.
Asad, a Pakistani expat, went to the local park with his family and enjoyed various activities. He also bought new clothes for his son and distributed sweets to his neighbours.
“Eid is a time for us to have fun and enjoy ourselves,” he said. “We also make sure to give back to the community and spread happiness wherever we can,” he said.
Samra and Shabib celebrated Eid in a traditional way.
“Eid is a time for us to show compassion and kindness towards others,” Samra said.
Samra and Shabib.
“We also make sure to remember those who are less fortunate and do our part to make their Eid a little brighter,” she added.
Maha, a Pakistani expat, celebrated Eid with her loved ones in the UAE.
She prepared a variety of Pakistani dishes on the special day. She also dressed up in a traditional Pakistani outfit and applied mehendi on her hands.
“Eid is a time for us to come together and celebrate our culture and traditions. We also make sure to spend time with our loved ones and strengthen our bonds with them. On this special day, I want to wish a very happy Eid Mubarak to all the Muslims. May this Eid bring lots of happiness and peace,” she prayed.
Hassan, a Pakistani expat living in Umm Al Quwain, celebrated Eid by organising a cricket match with his friends.
They played in a local park, dressed in their best clothes, and enjoyed snacks and refreshments together.
He also donated money to a local charity that provides food to those in need during Eid.
“Eid is a time for us to have fun and enjoy ourselves,” he said.
“But it’s also important to remember those who are less fortunate and do our part to make their Eid a little better,” he concluded.
Ali, a Pakistani living in Dubai said, “I had a wonderful Eid celebration in Dubai this year. I started my day by attending the Eid prayer at the nearby mosque with my friends, and we greeted each other with warm hugs and traditional sweets. After that, we visited our relatives and exchanged gifts and wishes. We also indulged in some delicious dishes, such as biryani, kebabs, and samosas. In the evening, we went to a park nearby. Overall, it was a memorable Eid in Dubai, and I feel grateful for being able to celebrate this auspicious occasion with my loved ones.”