Visitors throng RAK during long Eid break

Ras Al Khaimah - The public parks - mainly Saqr Public Park, Corniche Al Qawasim downtown, Saudi Institute beach, and the old corniche - thronged with visitors, both Emiratis and residents.

Crowds of people flocked to the public parks, scenic places, malls, and shopping centres of Ras Al Khaimah during the first two days of the Eid Al Adha holiday.
Top of the list was the Jebel Jais mountain, the highest peak in the country, where visitors from other emirates were keen to spend the feast and enjoy the fine weather and great views from the top.
The public parks - mainly Saqr Public Park, Corniche Al Qawasim downtown, Saudi Institute beach, and the old corniche - thronged with visitors, both Emiratis and residents.
"My family and I always like to spend the Eid Al Adha holiday at Jebel Jais, where we meet with relatives and friends," said Sharif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian contractor.
"Ras Al Khaimah's scenic places and nature are big attractions for tourists and visitors from the emirate and across the country," said Ahmed Jameel, a Syrian national.
Sources told Khaleej Times that hotels and tourist resorts in the emirate were almost fully booked. "Eid Al Adha holiday is a high season, so it's hard to find a room unless reserved in advance," said one hotel manager.
Ahmed Hamad Al Shehi, manager of public services with the RAK Department of Public Works and Services, said they have launched new outdoor playing equipment at the Saqr public park in Al Daqdaqa area.
The Department has also deployed more 'Raqib' environment patrols across tourist sites, "mainly at the Jais mountain; 1,934m above the sea level, where most people enjoy the feast", to ensure its cleanliness.
Big tent for Eid abattoir rush
The RAK Municipality has, meanwhile, initiated an all-new drive to handle the rush at the RAK abattoirs and develop customers' awareness about slaughtering procedures. "A big tent has been installed to receive the public and entertain them," said Ali Saad, an Iraqi resident.
A special section has been specified for women, while older customers and those with special needs were given priority. "Customers were also given refreshments while waiting for their Adahi to be processed," said Mohammed Ashraf, an Egyptian.
The three-day 'My Adahi' initiative was well received by the public. "We hope to see the same tent at all the abattoirs of the emirate to inject some fun into the long waiting time," said Faisal Adnan, a Jordanian.
3,000 Adahi sacrificed
Over 3,000 Adahi or sacrificed animals, including local and imported cows, camels, goats and sheep, were slaughtered at RAK abattoirs on the first day of Eid Al Adha, according to a senior municipality official.
Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, manager of RAK Municipality's public health department, said the staff vets strictly ensured that all the animals sacrificed were fit before slaughtering, and the meat healthy afterwards. The sheep and cows have also been slaughtered in two different halls after a check-up and sorting out. "The sheep slaughtering timing has been reduced by 50 per cent, to some 40 minutes and even shorter.
"Two of these were disposed of, for failing to pass the medical check-up and having some contagious diseases; the traders were ordered to pay back the money to the customers," Al Tunaiji said.
The 'ticket system' has been introduced at the Filya Abattoir for the first time this year, to streamline the slaughtering process, she added. "This has eased and accelerated the reception of the Adahi, and their delivery after slaughtering."
Noting, she said the slaughtering prices have been fixed, and no increase has been introduced. "Slaughtering a sheep or goat would cost Dh15 against Dh60 for butchering a young bullock, she explained. "Slaughtering an old cow, camel or bullock stands at Dh100, however."
Warning the public, she said a hefty fine up to Dh20,000 shall be slapped against anyone involved in the street slaughtering of animals outside the official abattoirs.
"The fine ranges from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000 as per the violation nature and repetition."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah