Eid, All-round cheer

It’s that time of year again the whole Muslim world looks forward to. Because it’s an occasion to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, which literally means “a festival” or “feast” in Arabic.

It comes after Ramadan, a month-long session of prayer, piety and fasting. Eid opens the doors to all-round cheer, where festive treats await eager children; where men, women and children sport their best elegant attire; where creativity is unleashed to make the most sumptuous dishes that tickle the taste buds of the young and old alike no end.

The Islamic calendar is lunar and when Eid begins depends on the sighting of the moon. This Eid is a three-day-long festival and is known as the “Lesser” or “Smaller Eid” when compared to Eid Al Adha (Eid Al Fitr comes earlier in the year and Eid Al Adha later), which is a four-day-long festival and is known as the “Greater Eid.”

Eid in the UAE is a unique experience, because you are surrounded by 200 enchanting cultures, their delicious food, their exquisite clothes. People from over 200 nationalities converge on this warm and hospitable country, thanks to the vision of its leaders Their Highnesses Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and other Rulers and sheikhs, the UAE has transformed itself into a land of opportunities for skilled and qualified expats.

Among them are a large number of Pakistanis who simply enjoy the cosy, comfortable life in this hotspot destination for millions around the world. When this reporter connected with them on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, as you don’t get to meet a lot of people on a regular basis, they expressed their happiness being here in their second home. 

 “As an expat Pakistani, it is pleasant to see the spirit and grandeur of Eid Al Fitr in the United Arab Emirates. I do miss my family as nothing matches the celebrations done with our immediate family members.

“I take this opportunity to share Eid greetings with anyone and everyone reading this,” says Mubashar Rehman.

Another Pakistani expatriate, Nauman Naqvi, says, “Living in the UAE for the past 18 years, Eid has always been the best time here. We (family) usually spend our first 2 days dressing up and meeting our loved ones and celebrating Eid with them. The best part of Eid apart from family gatherings is the food we have.”