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Time to bond with
family and friends

DUBAI - After a month of fasting and prayers, Muslims across the UAE marked their Eid celebrations with enthusiasm.

The excitement was palpable as celebrations started just after the morning Eid prayers. Thousands of devout Muslims thronged Eid musallas early in the morning as they marked the end of fasting and welcomed the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Muslims celebrated the day by visiting each other’s houses and sharing traditional delicacies, which include special dishes cooked for the occasion.

Salma Mansour, who spends several days preparing for the Eid, said, “Eid days are always special. We make arrangements at home to receive hundreds of people. Most of the visitors are men, so we have to make separate arrangements for both, men and women as a lavish feast is set out for them.”

A traditional Eid treat in the morning includes the ever-popular Sheerkurma, a milky pudding with vermicelli, almonds, pistachio, sultanas and cinnamon. “In the afternoon, the entire family meets at my grandma’s house. On the second day, we visit the rest of the family,” adds Salma.

All of them sit together to have their meal and celebrate Eid by spreading love and happiness all around.

Children on this occasion have a real leisure time, as they receive Eidi and gifts from near and dear ones as a token of love.

Cleansed and reinvigorated after Ramadan, Eid offers an opportunity to bond with family members. While most families head outdoors for a picnic, a traditional lunch in the family is never forgotten.

Saeed Khalifa, who takes time to visit friends and relatives during Eid, said, “For me it is a time to renew relationships and build a stronger bond with near and dear ones. Many a times, we don’t see each other for months at a stretch but Eid is one day where we make it a point to meet everyone.”

He adds, “In a way, it is a reflection of our culture and tradition as Eid marks a celebration of life and
is our way of thanksgiving.”

muaz@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE