Eid in UAE... before the modern times

Eid cheer permeates throughout the country, and is reflected through the smiles of children, the Eid greeting exchanged and family visits to relatives.

The country is already in a festive mood. Eid Al Fitr is celebrated with a special flavour of Emirati customs and traditions and at the same time embracing the cultural diversity the UAE is known for.
Eid cheer permeates throughout the country, and is reflected through the smiles of children, the Eid greeting exchanged and family visits to relatives.
The images and manifestations of Eid Al Fitr are similar in different parts of the country as the customs and traditions on this occasion are convergent, most notably the Eid prayers, visits of relatives and friends in groups and assemblies to eat traditional Emirati food, as well as celebrations of traditional arts and the singing of folk songs in an atmosphere of love, compassion and happiness.
Eid joys in the UAE are associated with customs, traditions and folk heritage that the families observe, starting from heading to prayer sites on Eid's first day in the morning and then exchanging greetings among the members of the community, followed by family gatherings in the majlis or at residences of a renowned local dignitary, where they exchange Eid greetings and have a customary meal and coffee. In the afternoon, folklore groups line up in public squares to perform dances.
Emirati Amna Mohammed Saeed said women in the past used to start preparing for Eid Al Fitr during the month of Shaaban. They used to prepare Ramadan and Eid food. She added that Eid festivities "would not be complete unless we have prepared for this occasion."
She added that the purchase of Eid clothing starts early, but demand increases with the advent of Eid Al Fitr. People flock to the markets, especially the old souqs, to sell and buy.
On the morning of Eid, people eat breakfast "mash", which is the main Eid meal. It is cooked at night and is a favourite meal among Emiratis, though some prefer "Al Arasia". While some people have their Eid meal before prayers, others prefer to take the meal after the prayer.
"As time passed, we introduced sweets and rice with meat and fruits. So people kept fruits in their majlis as they received guests. These include dates, and there is always coffee and tea," said Amna.

Preparations
She said that UAE citizens have been hospitable and keen on the occasion of Eid to present the tastiest food and drinks to visitors, while residences remained open, teeming with visitors including friends, relatives and acquaintances.
"Before Eid, women used to begin preparations by cleaning up the house and buying new Eid clothing, for children in particular, and all members of the family in general. The women used to meet to sew Eid clothes by hand as a group. The boys used to wear Arab Kandura or dyed Kandura."
She added that the women used to pick henna leaves a month or two before the advent of Eid and these leaves would be dried and processed and used ornamentally for girls and women.
Amna continued, saying that in the old days, there would be a woman to expertly mix perfumes and make incense tablets, however, some women were skilled enough to do it themselves without going to the perfume specialists.
According to Rashid Obaid Al Tunaiji, an Emirati, in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, people used to begin preparations for Eid Al Fitr. They went on the backs of camels to the markets in Sharjah, Ajman or Dubai, while citizens in Al Ain used to go to the markets of Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
He said: "We used to load camels with firewood and other stuff on a journey for a day or two or even more, depending on the distance. We often used to trade during the journey, as everything we carried was for sale. We had fun and used the money to buy dates and Eid clothing, and then we go back home to get ready for Eid.
"Eid was a delight for both adults and children. Children used to prepare for Eid just like the adults, and men used to dye their clothes."
Eid memories
Al Tunaiji recalled the olden days, where there was no media. "There was no television, telephone and even the radio did not enter our lives. So before Eid, we used to detect the crescent moon from a high and open place searching in the direction of 'Al Qibla'. While young, we used to go out on the 29th day of Ramadan, before sunset and Maghareb prayer, with our parents and grandparents, carrying along with us our breakfast, which used to include a few dates and Arabic coffee.
"The men used to carry guns and some special tools on the occasion. At a high point, all of us used to fix our sight to detect the moon as there were no telescopes or astronomy centres. So people depended on seeing the crescent moon correctly and directly."
When the moon loomed on the horizon, shots were fired in the air to declare Eid. Then, people would take their breakfast on the spot and after the prayer, return home, chanting popular folkloric songs and beaming with joy and happiness.
Eidiya
With regard to Eid gifts, or 'Eidiya', Al Tunaiji said that this is traditionally an amount of money distributed to children for the occasion. It is an idea based on Ramadan solidarity. It paints a smile on the faces of children who gather to collect Eidiya from relatives in the neighbourhood, chanting a phrase from Emirati folklore, "We have been given Eidiya". He said the parents used to prepare Eidiya before Eid, and it used to be some coins. Now, he said, children prefer bank notes instead.
Al Tunaiji noted that Eid in the past had a special taste. "We now miss it," he said.
He said despite this, Eid in the UAE has many rich rituals that strengthen the social bonds characterised by good practices, care for the poor and respect for the elderly. The people meet to exchange greetings and gifts, he said, as Eid has been, and still is, one of the most important events that brings joy to the hearts of the people of the UAE.

Your guide to Eid Al Fitr And how to celebrAte it in UAE > Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is one of the two most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. > Zakat Al Fitr is given to the needy before the Eid prayers are offered. > The day of Eid falls on the first day of Shawwal - the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar. > The start of Eid Al Fitr is determined by the Moon Sighting Committee. > Eid prayers consist of two Rakats (units) and are offered to commemorate Eid Al Fitr, usually in an open-air environment or in a large hallway. > In Dubai, numerous mosques and musallas will hold Eid Al Fitr prayers, includ-ing the Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Mosque in Zabeel, the Bur Dubai Grand Musalla, Deira Grand Musalla. > In Sharjah, the Department of Islamic Affairs has allocated 153 mosques and prayer yards for the prayers, including 111 in the city of Sharjah, 16 in the central region and 26 in the eastern region

 

In the afternoons, folklore groups lined up in public squares to perform traditional dances.

For women, Eid preparations used to begin about two months prior, with the picking of henna leaves.

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