Eid in The United Arab Emirates

In United Arab Emirates, Eid is an occasion that symbols a cheerful time to be spent amongst friends, and family. It is the time of year to indulge in meals, enjoy and thank Allah for giving and granting his blessings on all. The celebration of Eid starts with an early morning a small breakfast. Then people will dress up in their best new clothes and the boys and men would attend a special Eid prayer. In old days, but still happens nowadays to some extend men and young boys would wear the traditional dress which contains a long white traditional “thoub” and the head dress which is called “Ogal” but today some prefer the jeans and shirts. Same with the women, they wear a long colorful dress often decorated in stitching called “jalabeya” and cover their hair with a “sheila” and cover up by a black cloak “abaya”. Nowadays women still wear the abaya, jalabeya and Sheila but slight change have happened where the “abaya” now looks different in terms of designs, shape and color plus they wear t-shirts, jeans and skirts more often now.

Usually Eid preparations start at the first week of Ramadan. But still Shops and malls are crowded till the last evening of Ramadan with people making last minute purchases. Buying new clothes, redecorating the furniture and cooking typical Emirati food like ‘Harees’ and ‘Arsiya’ made of chicken and meat, Al ‘Fwalah’, a mixture of fresh fruit, ‘Omani sweats’, and arabic coffee. These are the main features of Eid for us Emiratis. Families get together at the house of the head of the family on the first day to exchange greetings and enjoy meals together. The other two days of Eid are usually dedicated to neighbors and friends and other leisure activities. Not to forget the “Eidya” ( Eid money to cheer up little ones) given from elder people to children.