Families in UAE all set for intimate Eid Al Adha celebrations

Dubai - Residents shared how they would make the most of the special occasion without compromising on safety.

Family plans are set and shopping lists are almost complete as UAE residents get ready for the upcoming Eid Al Adha. In the middle of all hustle and bustle, however, safety has been on top of everybody's minds.
People have reiterated that they understand how 'unusual' these days have become, with almost everything transformed into a 'new normal'. Social gatherings and large congregational prayers - which used to be among the highly anticipated parts of Eid Al Adha - have had to go.
Committed to following all safety rules to fight the spread of Covid-19, residents shared how they would make the most of the special occasion without compromising on health and safety.
Reem Hamdy Ahmed Mohammed Ghazaly, an Emirati, said: "My husband and I will go and meet my parents and my sister. But we will make sure that we stick to all safety protocols. Since family comes first, this year, we will restrict our visit to our immediate family members.
"The government has done a wonderful job in curtailing the Covid-19 cases in the country and we should ensure that we continue to support the government in its fight against the disease.
Syrian expat Majd al Khatib said she, too, will see only her immediate family for the occasion. "Only my sister and her husband will be visiting us and we may go out either for breakfast or dinner on the first day."
But for the rest of the holidays, she said, all celebrations will be done at home. "Things have been mitigated but the virus hasn't completely disappeared. So, we all have a collective responsibility to help the government by continuing to be more cautious at a personal level."
Majd added that she was happy to have been able to buy new clothes for her and her children, unlike during Eid Al Fitr when most establishments were closed.
Whipping up a feast
Malaysian expat Adeelatul said she is looking forward to preparing a special menu, but for just a handful of guests.
"In the past we've had many people coming over to get a taste of our Malaysian hospitality and cuisine. But this time, we will just invite one of our close friends for dinner. We know they have been following similar precautions like us and have been very careful," Adeelatul said.
Other residents who usually fly home to celebrate Eid Al Adha with family will be resorting to video calls this time.
Indian resident Zoya Shaikh said: "In the previous years, I've travelled to India around this occasion, so I definitely miss that, but Zoom calls can compensate for those in-person meetings this year because in the current situation, safety should be the top priority."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com