Two men greet each other after offering prayers at Al Noor mosque in Sharjah to celebrate Eid Al Adha.
Parks, malls and souqs crowded as region celebrates holiday
Dubai: The first day of Eid Al Adha, the festival of sacrifice, was marked with prayers, fanfare and family get-togethers across the UAE on Tuesday.
Thousands thronged Eid Musallahs and mosques for Eid prayers, kicking off the four-day celebrations.
Residents and Emiratis joined the rulers including His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who offered Eid prayers with other Shaikhs at the newly built Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Mosque in Zabeel.
In their Eid sermons, Imams shed light on the significance of Haj and sacrifice and prayed for peace and harmony in the region.
As is customary at Eid, long lanes of vehicles could be seen around abattoirs from early in the morning as people offered sacrifices of animals such as goats, sheep, cows and camels.
“I came here [to the abattoir in Al Qusais Dubai] immediately after prayers as I do it every year to offer my sacrifice of goats,” said Mohammad Ilyas from his car in the slow-moving traffic. “I have already purchased the animals and hope to have quality time with family and friends around the meal of mutton biryani.”
Apart from abattoirs, long tailbacks could be also be seen around parks, amusement centres and malls with people across the emirates making the most of the holiday.
“We offered our sacrifice in the morning and evenings are for barbecue in the park,” said Sardar Abbas. “Weather is better in the evenings now, so it’s a good time for outdoor activities with family.”
From outdoor sports to just relaxing or going on long drives, residents are finding different ways to spend their Eid holiday, with many travelling to other emirates to spend a few days away from home.
Emirati student, Aisha Al Muhairi, 24, who lives in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News: “For today, we will have family gatherings and lots of visits. But on Wednesday I have something exciting planned. I’ll be staying in Dubai for two nights and hopefully will go to Ski Dubai and maybe even swim with the dolphins.”
Meanwhile, Syrian resident Reem Sayadi is heading to Dubai to spend the evening before going on a three-day getaway with her family to a hotel in Sharjah.
Others have decided to split their first day into two parts: family first and then friends in the evening.
“I spent my first day running errands, getting the necessary items and preparing the house for the regular family gathering,” said Yousuf Al Tall, an Egyptian mechanical engineer in the capital. “In the evening, though, I am planning on spending the night with my friends in Dubai and perhaps do something fun as a group.”
Streets, malls and souqs, which have been decked out for the festivities, were packed by revellers, while police coordinated with other authorities to ensure the smooth movement of traffic around busy locations.
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