UAE residents 'hunt' for best meat for Eid Al Adha

Abu Dhabi - Supermarkets and butcher shops got overcrowded with shoppers getting ready for the feast on the first day of Eid Al Adha, which falls on September 12, 2016.

Eid Al Adha preparations began in Abu Dhabi since Saturday evening, with many Muslims "hunting" for the best quality meat.
Supermarkets and butcher shops got overcrowded with shoppers getting ready for the feast on the first day of Eid Al Adha, which falls on September 12, 2016.
"On Sunday we had the Arafat Day, which was the last day of Haj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, when all pilgrims have to climb the Mount Arafat and come back down at sunset. The following day is the first day of Eid Al Adha, which represents the ultimate sacrifice Ibrahim was willing to make for Allah," explained Nasser al Yefei, a Yemeni resident in Abu Dhabi.
"That is why, on Eid there is the tradition to sacrifice your best animal - goat, lamb, camel or cow. Most people nowadays don't keep livestock, so we have to buy it from supermarket, or larger families buy an animal from the market and have it slaughtered for them," he also told Khaleej Times.
Cooking an entire goat or lamb is also a space issues for many families living in apartments or houses with normal size ovens, hence dozens of Emirati, Saudi and Yemeni cafes across the city were busy taking orders for cooking whole lambs and goats.
For the majority of residents, though, Eid preparations meant finding a good place to celebrate. Thousands headed towards Yas island on Saturday night to watch the display of fireworks.
Malls too became increasingly crowded on Sunday with people enjoying various family shows particularly organised for Eid celebrations.
At Abu Dhabi Mall, for example, there are daily encounters with Ice Age characters during September 9-13, with interactive sing along and dancing, and even space workshops.
Traditional Emirati folklore, falcon display and holding, a magician roaming about, flash mobs and even a levitating man posing as a statue are to be encountered at Yas Mall.
With the weather getting better, the outdoors is also an option, the Emirates Park Zoo and Fatima bint Mubarak (Mushrif) park being highly popular with visitors.
Adrenaline seekers are heading towards Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World, the later having a special Eid programme along its usual rides.
"This festive season, the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi family is happy to give returning guests and their families the opportunity to enjoy our exceptional performances, in addition to the recently added record-breaking thrills and family fun rides and experiences, and world-class dining and shopping. This has been a phenomenal year for us as we've launched two new rides at the Park, and with the Eid celebrations at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi we want to give guests and their families an extra reason to smile," Jesse Vargas, general manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi told Khaleej Times.
A dance show, henna, balloon twister, face painting, falcon handler, bubble performer and children's crafts are part of the special Eid celebrations at Ferrari World.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE