As the holy month of Ramadan ends, Muslims in the UAE eagerly prepare to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. The celebrations reflect the significance of Islam in the lives of Emiratis and residents and the critical roles these festivals play in strengthening the community and family relationships. The festivities are characterised by happiness, joy and a sense of togetherness as Muslims break their fasts and come together to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
According to the calculations, Ramadan will last for 29 days this year. The most likely dates of the Eid Al Fitr are from Thursday, April 20, to Sunday, April 23.
Here is how the festival is celebrated in the UAE
1. Eid Al Fitr Prayer
On the day of Eid, UAE residents will gather early in the morning to perform the Eid Prayer, a recommended tradition involving bathing, wearing new clothes, and having dates or similar foods before going to the mosques for the prayers.
The Eid Al Fitr prayer is verified as Sunnah (a recommended practice) and its timing is after sunrise, although this can be delayed to allow people to pay for their zakat. The prayer is conducted in an open congregation area and is permissible in mosques.
2. Eid Breakfast
One of the highlights of the Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is the festive meals that Emirati families prepare and share. Traditional Emirati dishes like ” Harees”, ” Khabeesa”, ” Balaleet”, dates and coffee are served in abundance, adding to the festive spirit. Families gather around, savouring the delicious food and enjoying each other’s company, strengthening the bonds of kinship and community that this month brings.
Besides, Emirati Umm Aisha emphasises the importance of preparing some traditional meals in advance for Eid, as they require some time to be ready on a festive morning. She added, “We make sure to have our heritage dishes on the table, with each family taking charge of preparing one of the meals”.
3. Ediyah
After returning from the mosque, everyone exchanges greetings and visits their families and friends to extend their wishes for Eid. Children are excited as they receive “Eidiyah” or Eid gifts in the form of money from their elders, a prevalent tradition during Eid celebrations.
As per Abu Saif, Eidiyah is cherished today, and even adults may receive it. “Eidiyah is an old tradition passed down by our fathers and grandfathers to bring joy to children’s hearts. Eidiyah is a significant aspect of Eid that we still cherish today, and even adults may receive their share of it”.
As Eid approaches, many banks across the country take the initiative to provide different denominations of currency through their ATMs. People eagerly rush to find new denominations to offer as Eidiyah, and currency exchange might only be seen if they seek to obtain it before Eid.
4. Dressing
In the UAE, preparations for Eid Al Fitr are initiated days or weeks in advance, with men and women going to markets to buy new clothes. It is common for Emirati women to wear the traditional ” Mukhawara” dress on Eid, and applying henna in their hands is a popular tradition.
Conversely, men go to the tailors to get new clothes switched, often wearing a traditional “Kandoura ” and “Ghutra”. Home decorations are also a part of the preparations, with families tidying their homes and preparing special meals for Eid breakfast.
5. Zakat Al Fitr
In addition to the festivities, Zakat Al Fitr, also known as Sadaqat Al Fitr, is a compulsory act of charity performed by Muslims at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is a form of sanctifying oneself and giving back to the community.
Muslims must give a precise amount of Zakat Al Fitr, in the form of staple food items, to those in need before Eid Al Fitr.
