(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The first day of Eid Al Fitr was marked with prayers, feasts and reunions by Muslim families and communities across the country. Celebrations started with prayers, followed by visits to family and friends.
In the Capital, thousands gathered at dawn on Wednesday for Eid Al Fitr prayers at Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and many more at other mosques in the city. Eid Al Fitr, which translates to "festival of breaking the fast", marks the end of Ramadan. Emiratis and Muslim expats embraced and greeted each other for completing the long month of fasting. "Many people sent Eid greetings starting Tuesday night, but traditionally, they should only be offered after the morning Eid prayers," Rashed Kalbani, an Emirati from Abu Dhabi, told Khaleej Times. Eidiyah and family time
Traditionally, the first day of Eid Al Fitr is dedicated to the family. People stay home or visit their family. It''s a special fun time for children as they receive eidiyah, a small sum of money. The heat and humidity kept the city streets nearly deserted; only a brave few ventured for a walk on the Corniche on the first Eid morning. But by noon, Abu Dhabi''s parks and green spaces along the Corniche were packed with picnicking families. "My husband and I decided to stay home this Eid holiday to avoid the crowds and the inflated prices everywhere, but we do enjoy some time out," said Romanian expat Magdalena Candea, who had lunch at a hotel and spent a couple of hours on the public beach on Saadiyat island. Food and movie celebrations
In Dubai, the Consulate General of Malaysia held a community celebration, attended by around 400 expats, at the Malaysian Trade Centre in Oud Metha. Newly married Lebanese-Canadian expat Dana Bou-Saleh said she spent the day visiting her parents. "We had lunch at my parents'' home and went out for dinner. I also called my friends and relatives in Lebanon and Canada. We''ll spend the second day of Eid with my in-laws and family." For Indian expat Afroz Ansari, watching Salman Khan''s latest movie Sultan capped a day of lunch with his high school friends at his residence. Avez Sheikh, another Indian resident, enjoyed a sumptuous biryani, while women in his family spent the day applying henna and shopping. Pakistani expat Muhammad Nasrullah started his day with prayer and then did a round of visits. In Sharjah, Filipino expat Sahron Roy Tamano and wife Noraisa Abdulrahman woke up their young daughters Hanna and Shaikha before dawn, to attend the Qutbah at Al Nahda mosque. "We observed Ramadan as a family," Tamano said. For Murdi Primbani, Indonesian consul for Information, Social and Cultural Affairs, Eid is a also a time for reconciliation.
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