Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI AND AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Then and now, Eid has always been a family affair in the UAE — regardless of how much times have changed, how far the nation has progressed, or how rapidly modern life has evolved.
Traditions remain intact and celebrations continue to bring generations together, according to the National Library and Archives (NLA), one of the keepers of the country’s collective memory.
“Tracing these holiday traditions across generations reveals how the UAE has managed to balance tradition and modernity,” Fatima Al Mazrouei, Head of the Historical Archives Department at the NLA, told Aletihad.
Before the union of the seven emirates in 1971, Eid festivities were modest, largely revolving around family and community life, she said.
Preparations would begin days in advance. Families would be busy tidying their homes and cooking up a feast. Many would be out and about, shopping for new clothes and shoes, and spreading the word about upcoming family gatherings.
Among the Emirati dishes that would make it to every home’s menu were harees, thareed and luqaimat, alongside Arabic coffee and sweets, and traditional hospitality, Al Mazrouei said.
At this time of year, children were often the most excited, she added. Youngsters would eagerly await the chance to wear their brand-new clothes and shoes, while keeping their bags and pockets ready to collect their Eidiya.
Beyond the home, folk performances, traditional games, henna, and a host of community activities helped strengthen social bonds and kept the nation’s cultural heritage alive.
Eid for Families Today
The anticipation, the joy, and the shared traditions have moved and rolled with the years, as Emiratis today told Aletihad how they are celebrating this year’s Eid Al Adha.
Emirati mother Umm Khalfan has been busy over the past few days, as she will be hosting relatives for this year’s festivities. With the same traditions taking place year after year, she knows the sequence of events by heart, but each occasion remains just as special as the previous ones.
"Family is always the focus of the first day of Eid. We get together at home for breakfast following the Eid prayer, and then we spend the day with family and friends. It's a wonderful chance to deepen family bonds and spend quality time together," Umm Khalfan told Aletihad.
Her kitchen would be filled with the aroma of Emirati food for sure, she said. “What makes Eid so memorable is seeing everyone together under one roof.”
The planned activities are pretty much the same in the household of Umm Sanad, another Emirati mother. "After praying for Eid, we would get ready for a big family get-together at home,” she said.
Though preparations take a lot of time and effort, she said all the smiles and laughter — and the children’s excitement — makes every second worth it. “Everyone gets together for Eid and makes lifelong memories,” she added.
For UAE national Fahad Al Hammadi, the holiday is a chance to escape the stresses of everyday life and reconnect with family. "Happiness and gratitude are always in the air," he said as he looked forward to the upcoming Eid mornings with his loved ones and the meals they would share together. Al Hammadi added that their annual celebrations are all anchored in family customs.
These insights from citizens are in keeping with the NLA’s rich documentation of the Eid culture in the UAE, affirming Eid as one of the most meaningful occasions, with festivities — then and now — that capture “the depth of national identity and the cohesion of society”, said Al Mazrouei.
Gatherings Now Part of Wider Urban Festivities
While traditions have held strong, the passing of time and the UAE’s development are reflected in the scale of Eid festivities today. “Cities began to grow, and the manifestations of celebration shifted from the small neighbourhood to a wider social and urban scale,” Al Mazrouei said.
She added that the development of television and modern media during the 1970s and 1980s introduced new forms of entertainment to Eid celebrations, while family time at parks and beaches and trips between emirates became part of holiday traditions.
In recent decades, technology and social media have further reshaped how people mark Eid, with digital greetings, photos, and online communication becoming increasingly common.
At the same time, shopping malls, Eid festivals, fireworks displays, and large-scale entertainment events have become centres for celebrations across the UAE.
Despite these changes, Al Mazrouei stressed that the essence of Eid traditions has remained deeply rooted in Emirati society. “Authentic traditions have not disappeared. The Eid prayer remains the cornerstone of the day's celebrations, and families still cherish gatherings, even if the format or location has changed. The tradition of giving Eidiya (Eid gifts) remains beloved, though it is now sometimes offered electronically through modern banking apps," she said.
The UAE also continues to preserve its heritage through cultural festivals and initiatives, helping younger generations stay connected to traditional customs and values despite rapid globalisation.
The country’s diverse population has also enriched Eid festivities, Al Mazrouei said, describing the celebration as being rooted in “generosity tolerance, and family bonding”.
She added that humanitarian and charitable initiatives have become an increasingly important part of Eid celebrations. "Government and private institutions, as well as individuals, are keen to provide assistance to those in need during Eid, both within and outside the country, stemming from the values of solidarity encouraged by Islam and cherished by Emirati society."
Eid in the UAE, she said, continues to represent “the story of a society that has successfully preserved its roots while moving towards the future”.
