Friendships, community spirit prevail on Eid in the UAE

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Friendships, community spirit prevail on Eid in the UAE

Dubai - Khaleej Times speaks to people across different sections of society to know what Eid means to them.

By Saman Haziq

Published: Tue 4 Jun 2019, 11:10 PM

Every one wants to be home for their special days and festivals but the reality is most of the UAE population comprises of expatriates who are away from their family and loved ones. This is why Eid for some here is a family affair where they take time off from work and bond with their loved ones. For some other expatriates celebrating Eid away from family members and loved ones, the festival is spent with the communities they've built away from home. Khaleej Times speaks to people across different sections of society to know what Eid means to them and how they plan to celebrate it.

A time to connect with all

Afshan and Shafeeq Quraishi, who have been living in the UAE for the last 35 years with their family, told Khaleej Times that the preparation for Eid at their house starts at least a week before Eid Al Fitr. "As long time residents of the UAE, we have a big family living here and as the eldest members of the family, we have a tradition of hosting the first Eid get-together for more than 100 family members at our residence. It is usually lunch and the open house starts as early as after Duhr prayers."

"As per Sunnah, we wake up early in the morning, bathe, wear new clothes, eat dates before setting out for Eid Al Fitr prayers in our local mosque. It is a nice feeling of unity to be a part of a big congregation of worshippers of many nationalities. We meet and greet many people on the way after the prayers and our phones ring off the hook with 'Eid Mubarak' messages pouring in from far and near. It is a day of not only reinforcing faith but also family ties and friendships."

For Indian expats Shakir Munir Ahmed and his wife Lubna Khan, Eid is the most awaited event of the year, when they reconnect with all their kith and kin, in whichever part of the world they may be staying. "Apart from the Eid preparations that start from a day or two before the festival, the day is dedicated to connecting with family. That is, one day we call each and every relative on the phone - both my side and my husband's relatives - and wish them. Since we have many relatives, it is hard to stay in touch with all but Eid is one occasion when we connect to all," Lubna said. From the time of Eid prayers until dinner, Lubna and Shakir, who stay with their two kids and Shakir's mother, open their house welcoming family and friends, many of whom are bachelors.

A special time

Banker Kavita Jawaharlal Dangrani, a non-Muslim who has been in the UAE for the last eight years, said she eagerly awaits the festival for the happiness it brings - not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims "in terms of the perks we get as being part of an Islamic country".

"The city gets adorned like a bride and it feels good to see such beautiful lighting around the city. People can be seen thronging the markets, decorating their houses, and to me, it feels like Diwali time in India. I also enjoyed the spirit of Ramadan with my Muslim friends and had Iftars and Suhoors with them. And for Eid, since we got a week-long break, I am flying to Georgia as I got some great deals during this Eid break. So, it has been a great month and a befitting end with more good stuff (sale, offers and discounts) for the residents here."

This Eid is a meaningful one for Rajeev Sivaraman, who has been in the UAE for over 10 years and is a Hindu by faith. "For the past years, Eid holidays were just like normal holidays - wandering in the malls or parks with family. But this time, Eid is something special for us. For the last couple of weeks I was busy in the evenings along with the members of Arabian Blasters Cricket Team - a team of friends who play cricket over weekends - for distributing Iftar kits to labour accommodations. This made us realise the importance of the holy month and also of Eid."

This year Rajeev said he will also be celebrating Eid with some close family friends with an Eid breakfast and then a sports day titled Arabian Blasters Family Sports Day where 16 families will gather in an indoor sports arena and spend the day playing different sports. "Thanks to the UAE, because of its multi-cultural atmosphere, everyone in the country can celebrate all religious festivals."

Celebration on phone

Bus conductor Yasmine Tayaba from Pakistan has been away from her three children for five years now and she says her Eid is spent mostly speaking to them on the phone.

"For me my children are my world and my Eid begins and ends with them. The hardest part is not being able to cook and feed my children the dishes they love, especially on Eid. So it is a very emotional day as they cry there and I cry here missing them. But I am grateful to God that at least I have a job and I can take care of them through my earnings here. My children are 21, 19 and 16 years of age and although they are grown up now, they miss me the most, especially on such occasions. So my Eid day is dedicated just to them and from morning onwards I start calling them to ask if they have prayed, or what they are cooking or eating. We celebrate our Eid over the phone."

Hailing from West Bengal, India, Mir Sahazahan, a young technician in his 20s, said he has not celebrated Eid with his family for the last five years. His roommates and friends are the ones with whom he enjoys his Eid. "I am lucky enough to have great friends with whom I celebrate Eid. I start my day with morning prayers with my friends at Eidgah, after which I call up my family and speak to them and wish them. I then reach my room and cook delicacies such as biryani and sewaiye (vermicelli) together with my roommates. We then eat together and then go for an outing to see this beautiful city. Eid is one day when I get to discover the UAE with my friends as we get a day off and we go out visiting new places."

A perfect gift for Eid

This is the first time Spanish national Raquel Cuesta,34, will be celebrating Eid Al Fitr as a Muslim. Married to a Muslim, Raquel had not embraced Islam until three weeks ago. This was therefore her first Ramadan as a Muslim.

"I came to the UAE seven years ago and I used to fast on and off just to experience fasting and to support my Muslim friends. But there was no meaning to it. But after coming into Islam (three weeks ago) my whole concept of Eid has changed. My Eid is now loaded with meaning and I know I will be rewarded for all the fasts that I have kept as a Muslim. I am excited about this Eid as I have a group of new Muslim friends with whom I will be going for Eid prayers after which we will be enjoying a brunch together. Also this will be my first Eid as a Muslim with my husband so he has brought me some lovely dress and is excited to spend the day together with me. My life now has a purpose and meaning and there can be no better gift for me on Eid. I thank God for it."
saman@khaleejtimes.com