Festive mood sweeps the country

A festive mood has swept across the UAE as Eid Al Fitr arrives signalling the end of the month of fasting.

Eid Al Fitr is the occasion when a month of devotion and meditation gives way to a feast with people enjoying good food and entertainment in the company of family and friends.

Dressed in their best attires, men and women along with their children flock to the Eid Musallahs (prayer grounds) just after sunrise, offering prayers and thanking God for all the blessings and favours enjoyed by the faithful.

Even as residents mark their Eid meeting with families and friends as well as exchanging gifts, thousands of visitors, particularly from the neighbouring Gulf countries, have also landed in the UAE, enjoying the myriad festivities on offer in the country.

On the eve of Eid, bazaars, supermarkets, malls and souqs were buzzing with life as residents hurried through last-minute shopping, while many benefited from massive discounts available at supermarkets and department stores.

Confectioners, bakers and sweet shops worked overtime to make Eid that much more sweeter for people, as no festivities seem to be complete without sweets, cakes and chocolates. “We make special preparations and make huge amounts of special sweets as there is always huge demand on Eid day,” said Sohail Khawar, owner of the popular Pakistan Sweets in Sharjah.

Residents also prepare special traditional delicacies, while many families cook up a feast that is enjoyed throughout the day with the loved ones.

While the parks may not seem attractive in the hot weather, Eid revellers have a variety of locations and activities to choose from to enjoy the holidays.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced a diverse line-up of events as part of the 10th edition of ‘Eid in Dubai’ celebrations The celebrations will include firework shows at the Festival City at 11pm on Sunday, while Arab stars Majid Al Muhandis and Mohammad Al Shehi will hold live concerts at Dragon Mart and Dubai Opera, respectively.

Malls will keep the families entertained with roaming artistes and renowned cartoon characters performing live.

Among the top attractions are Modhesh World, one of the most popular indoor edutainment destinations in the region, while IMG World, Dubai Parks and Resorts as well as other leisure destinations are also offering a variety of fun-filled activities.

As Eid this year coincides with the summer vacation, many expatriate families have already left for their home countries to celebrate, while many will be leaving after the festival.

Many families are headed for short trips to nearby destinations like Salalah or Musandam in Oman.

Ideally, outdoor destinations are more popular during Eid holidays but with the weather not permitting activities like family barbecue at the parks and beaches, mountain destinations like Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain are most sought after.

However, whether it is outdoor or indoor, Eid is when families take centre stage, with people spending quality time with their loved ones.