Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Every Eid, the UAE - as a meeting place of cultures - bears witness to various traditions that reflect its diverse Muslim population.
While the core elements of the festival - prayer, family, and charity - are universal, the way Muslims celebrate may vary depending on their cultural backgrounds.
In the Emirates, Eid is centred around family gatherings, where large meals are served and guests are welcomed with traditional hospitality.
"We started the day with prayer at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. We go there every year as a family; we've never missed it," Ahmed Al Mansoori told Aletihad.
It's also customary to visit relatives and pay respect to the elders of the family. "We gather over traditional dishes like harees and machboos, and enjoy spreads of deserts like Al Bthith and Ma'amoul," said Al Mansoori.
Giving Eidiya, or small cash gifts, is common, too. "That's the one thing children are most excited about on the morning of Eid, aside from sporting their new clothes," the Emirati father said.
Muslim expats bring their own distinct flavours to Eid Al Fitr in the UAE.
For Palestinians living in the UAE, "Eid is not Eid" without ma'amoul, traditional date- or nut-filled cookies.
"We usually prepare these in the evening of the last day of Ramadan. Back home, my mum would prepare it in very large trays with all her neighbours," Safa Abu Shamma told Aletihad.
"Here, I made it with my two children and we shared it with our neighbours in the spirit of Eid," she added.
In many South Asian households, Eid Al Fitr is known as Meethi Eid (Sweet Eid) because it's associated with desserts like sheer khurma (a sweet vermicelli and milk dish) and seviyan (sweetened vermicelli).
"No Eid morning is complete without sheer khurma," Farhan Ahmed, a Pakistani expat, told Aletihad.
"We also dress in new clothes, often embroidered kurta pajamas for men and colorful shalwar kameez for women."
Indonesians observe a tradition known as "mudik" where people return to their hometowns or villages to celebrate Eid Al Fitr with their families.
Putri Rahman, an Indonesian expat in Abu Dhabi, couldn't travel this Eid, but managed to find a community to enjoy the holiday in the UAE.
"I spent the day with my Indonesian friends sharing traditional dishes like rendang and ketupat," she told Aletihad.
Traditional feasts and special clothing may differ from one culture to another - but the festival is always a time for joy and celebration for all Muslims around the world.
