Streets, malls abuzz with last-minute Eid Al Adha rush

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Abu Dhabi - Families and bachelors were spotted at shops, buying dresses, gift items and food products.

by

Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sun 11 Aug 2019, 10:39 PM

The scorching sun didn't stop residents from heading out into the streets on Saturday to wrap up their last-minute shopping and preparations for Eid Al Adha.
The festive spirit is everywhere in the UAE. 
By evening, malls across the country were bathed in a spectrum of colours, with lights and banners greeting everyone 'Eid Mubarak'.
Families and bachelors were spotted at shops, buying dresses, gift items and food products.
"Eid Al Adha is a festival of sacrifice. We bought our sacrifice. Everything was nicely arranged at the slaughterhouse. We also have enough to give to workers and we will distribute them to the needy. We should see to it that all our brothers and sisters are fed," said Abdullah Sultan, who works in the public sector.
Omar Al Marzouqi, a university student, looks forward to this Eid as he knew he would get to see and have fun with many of his relatives again. 
"This is the time when families unite. I will soon have my extended family and cousins here. My parents have bought new dresses. It will be fun, as we will all be together again after months," he said, adding that he was also hoping to receive a surprise gift from his parents.
Deepak Balakrishnan, an expat, has been marking the festival in the country for years now, and he said preparations always keep him busy.
"I am a non-Muslim but I enjoy all festivals. I did fast for a few days during the holy month of Ramadan. For this Eid, I purchased my meat. Friends will be coming over to my flat. I have new dresses for my kids. We are all set to mark Eid."
To celebrate the festival, hypermarkets and stores offered discounts for people from all walks of life. 
Kwabena Safo, an expat, felt that festivals are the best time to shop for necessities.
"Such festivals are a time to do big purchases, with so many offers and 50 per cent discounts. These promotions help people from all backgrounds to celebrate festival," Safo said.
A month to rock on
With fun activities all lined up for these holidays, there are a lot of things that residents can look forward to.
One of the major spectacles people are excited about are the fireworks. 
Dubai Festival City Mall is set to hold four shows, comprising a combination choreography of fire, laser and water - along with dazzling fireworks - today and tomorrow (from 8pm to 10 pm). 
At Yas Marina Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, fireworks will light up the skies for three nights, starting today. 
People can also enjoy the sight from the deck of 'Captain Tony's Eid Fireworks Fun Cruise', which takes off at 8.30pm. 
Moreover, others can visit their favourite summer character in Modhesh World at Dubai World Trade Centre, where a host of other activities will be taking place. 
British pop-rock band The 1975 will perform in Dubai for the first time at the Coca-Cola Arena on August 14. And even after the holidays, the enjoyment continues as Dubai Opera is slated to host a Disney movie marathon from August 15 to 30.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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