UAE labourers enjoy two-day Eid Al Fitr holiday

Dubai - The labourers work all year long under the scorching heat.

The two-day Eid Al Fitr off came as a huge relief and proved to be a much-needed break for UAE labourers. While many of them were overjoyed to celebrate the festival with their friends, some were happy to catch up on their sleep.
Even though they are hundreds of miles away from their families and loved ones and earn as little as Dh500 to Dh2,000 per month, they dressed up in their fanciest outfits and enjoyed the occasion with their friends on June 25.
However, some workers said they wanted to get bed rest during the two-day off. The labourers work all year long under the scorching heat.
Syed Fakher Abbas, a Pakistani labourer who earns Dh1,000, went for Eid prayer with his friends and spent the day at Mamzar Beach.
"Two days off - that's a blessing. I'm happy we got a much-needed break to celebrate. I wanted to look nice on Eid, and go out with my friends," he said.
"I went swimming at the swimming pool in Mamzar Park. The ticket costs only Dh5, so it was affordable for me. It had to be something not-so-expensive. I don't think Eid is about having something expensive - we got to spend quality time with each other and that's amazing."
"The fireworks are always an event we enjoy. This year we are also looking forward to seeing the fireworks. Of course, I wish my family was here to see it. I miss them a lot and maybe one day we'll be spending Eid together and they'll be here next to me."
Abbas said that labourers also get three days off for Eid-Al-Adha and he is also looking forward to that.
Muhammed Mintu, a Bangladeshi worker who earns Dh1,800, said he spent the first day of Eid Al Fitr catching up on his sleep.
He went to mosque for the Eid prayers in his "best outfit" and will spend the remainder of the break sleeping.
"My favourite part about Eid is going for the prayer. I like waking up early, getting dressed and heading to the mosque. I pray and meet new people. I like making new friends. It reminds me of how it was back in my home country," Mintu said.
"Now, when I have days off from work, I prefer staying in and getting rest. The entire year is always so hectic. So when we get time off, I think it's smart to re-energise my body and mind with sleep. I have to send some Eid money to my family back home, so I'd do that rather than go out and spend on myself.
"While I'm in the UAE, I have to hold back on spending on myself. The goal is to save, send money to my family and one day spend Eid with them. That's when I'll let loose and have fun on Eid."
- sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

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